Dwayne Johnson Shows Slimmer Physique at Venice Film Festival

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is debuting a new look!

The 53-year-old pro wrestler-turned-actor stepped out at the Venice International Film Festival in Italy on Monday, Sept. 1, appearing much slimmer than he did in his new movie, The Smashing Machine.

Johnson stars as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the sports drama, directed and written by Benny Safdie.

At the premiere of the biopic, the Moana 2 star discussed his transformation.

“This transformation was something I was really hungry to do,” he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I had been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had over the years and to make the films that I’ve made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, ‘Well, what if I could do more — I want to do more and what does that look like?’ ”

An official synopsis for the movie simply describes The Smashing Machine as “the story of legendary mixed martial arts & UFC fighter Mark Kerr.” 

Johnson’s costar, Emily Blunt, portrays Mark’s then-wife Dawn. The 42-year-old British actress posed beside the Black Adam actor at multiple events surrounding the movie’s Venice International Film Festival premiere, which received a 15-minute standing ovation and brought Johnson to tears.

Video posted from inside the theater at the premiere showed the wrestler-turned-actor wiping his tears as he stood between Blunt and Kerr himself.

Safdie was also seen overcome with tears as he bent his knees and wept during the standing ovation.

 “This was the most emotion we’ve since on the Lido since Brendan Fraser launched his Oscar campaign here” for The Whale, said Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh, referencing Fraser’s eventual win at the 2023 Academy Awards. 

In April, Kerr shared the movie poster on his Instagram, expressing awe over the film.

“I am still in disbelief that this is real,” wrote Kerr at the time.

He added, “I am so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for [every little] detail production uncovered. Can’t wait to share this experience with the world.”

Johnson shared a similar sentiment in the comment section, writing, “Love you brotha. Your life, changed mine.”

The Smashing Machine will be released in theaters on Oct. 3.