Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has addressed the concerns raised by fans over his recent weight loss, revealing the true reason behind his new, slimmer appearance.
Johnson, one of the most recognizable celebrities globally, is known for his larger-than-life presence in the WWE, Hollywood, and on social media. His muscular physique has long been a defining trait, but during his appearance at the Venice Film Festival last month, fans were taken aback by his noticeably slimmer figure. Some were worried about his health, while others defended the change as part of his evolving career.
New Role Requires a Transformation
Many speculated that Johnson’s weight loss was for his role as real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr in the film The Smashing Machine. Reports suggested that Johnson dropped around 60 pounds, going from 300 pounds to 240 pounds. However, Johnson later confirmed that the weight loss was part of his preparation for a completely different role in the upcoming film Lizard Music, where he will play a whimsical, eccentric 70-something-year-old man called “Chicken Man.”
Dwayne Johnson has had quite the body transformation (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
In a recent interview at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8, Johnson explained, “A little bit of backstory for you guys here is Benny pitched me this after we wrapped The Smashing Machine, and after about 45 minutes, his pitch ended, and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man.'”
He continued to explain that the role of Chicken Man, who has a 70-something-year-old chicken as his best friend, would require him to slim down even further. “I still have a long ways to go,” he said, indicating his ongoing transformation. He added, “It means eating less chicken,” humorously referring to the role’s requirements.
Fans React to His Transformation
Fans have been left wondering about Johnson’s new look, especially given his previous reputation for a massive physique. While some supported his decision to shed the weight for his acting roles, others were concerned about the toll it might be taking on his health. Johnson reassured fans that the changes are intentional for his career and that he remains excited to continue transforming for his roles, especially for The Smashing Machine, which is set to release first.
In his role for The Smashing Machine, Johnson will star alongside Emily Blunt and Bas Rutten, a Dutch MMA fighter. The movie is based on the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a UFC fighter, and Johnson’s physical transformation is a key part of portraying the character authentically.
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Dwayne Johnson has multiple projects on the go (Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Miu Miu)
Looking Ahead
Johnson’s body transformation is far from over, as he continues to prepare for his roles in multiple upcoming films. His shift in appearance has sparked curiosity and concern, but it’s clear that the actor is embracing the challenge. As he dives deeper into his latest projects, including Lizard Music, Johnson is focused on creating new, dynamic characters that require both physical and emotional transformation.
Fans will be watching eagerly as the actor continues to shape-shift for his roles, with Johnson promising more exciting performances in the future.
