Dwayne Johnson has made a heartbreaking confession following viral images of himself looking very different for a new role.
The actor and former WWE superstar, now 53, is currently starring in the biographical sports drama The Smashing Machine, where he portrays legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
At the Venice Film Festival, Johnson’s performance in the role has already generated significant buzz, with many praising his dedication to authenticity in embodying the complex character.
In the film, Johnson plays a man who, as he describes, is "a walking contradiction." Mark Kerr was "at one time the greatest fighter on the planet, but also kind, gentle, tender, empathetic," Johnson said at the festival, per the Daily Mail.
It’s a far cry from his usual larger-than-life roles, and fans are taking notice not only of his transformative acting but also of his dramatic physical transformation.
The Rock's new look has stunned fans, with photos from the Venice red carpet revealing a significantly leaner frame.
Gone are the bulging muscles that have been his signature for decades. Instead, Johnson now sports a toned, athletic physique more fitting for the role of an MMA fighter.
Reports suggest he has shed nearly 60 pounds, now weighing closer to 240 pounds.
Johnson's leaner look was the result of a complete overhaul of his training and diet.
As detailed by Men's Health, he swapped his usual intense bulking routines for a protein-focused, low-sugar diet, paired with endurance-based workouts and grappling practice.
The results have left audiences stunned, with many commenting on how unrecognizable he looks now, and some even jokingly referring to him as "The Pebble" instead of "The Rock".
However, The Smashing Machine isn’t just about physical transformation. Johnson also had to delve deep into his personal life for the role, particularly when it comes to his relationship with his own father, the late Rocky 'Soulman' Johnson.
Though the character of Mark Kerr is deeply empathetic, Johnson confessed at the festival that he couldn’t draw on his father’s example for inspiration.
"I don't think my dad was an inspiration in terms of his tenderness," he admitted. "It wasn't really my dad. He was homeless by the time he was 13, so his capacity for love was very limited, and that's the man that raised me."
Dwayne and his father were estranged at the time of Rocky’s death in 2020, with the two having stopped speaking after a "massive fight" on Christmas Eve of 2019.
Reflecting on his father's passing, Johnson posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing regret over their unresolved issues.
"Man, I just wish that I could hug him one more time and kiss him on the cheek and look him in the eyes and say, 'We're good,'" Johnson wrote. "All that other s***? You realize it just doesn't matter when they're gone, especially when they're gone."