Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has brutally lost weight and muscle!

The showbiz world was rocked by photos from the Venice Film Festival. The man the world knows as a mountain of muscle, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, is gone. In his place was a much slimmer, almost gaunt man. Fans are shocked and asking: What happened to their favorite action hero?

The reason for this drastic change, which flew around the Internet at lightning speed, is not a health problem, but incredible determination and preparation for the role of a lifetime. Johnson presented his new film "The Smashing Machine" in Venice, in which he portrayed the legendary but also troubled MMA fighter Mark Kerr.

A 27-pound lighter "Pebble"

To be as believable as possible as a fighter whose career and personal life have been marred by addiction and pressure, Johnson lost an incredible 27 kilograms. Gone are the iconic biceps and massive chest that defined his career from his wrestling days to Hollywood blockbusters.

Social media instantly exploded. While some fans expressed concern for his health, others joked that the nickname "The Rock" no longer fit and they should start calling him "The Pebble."

A sacrifice that paid off: Oscar talk

While fans were shocked, film critics are thrilled. Johnson's performance as Kerr is being hailed as the performance of a lifetime. At the Venice Film Festival, the film earned a stunning 15-minute standing ovation that moved the actor himself to tears.

Johnson himself let it be known that he was literally "starving" for such a transformation and acting challenge. He wanted to prove that he is not just an action star, but a complex actor who is not afraid to go to the core. And he seems to have succeeded. There are already whispers in the backstage that this role could earn Dwayne Johnson an Oscar nomination.

So a huge physical sacrifice has turned into a huge artistic triumph. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson may have lost muscle, but he has earned the respect of the movie world.

The Rock is currently going viral after losing a lot of muscle? pic.twitter.com/joGhS4GMo1

— kira ? (@kirawontmiss) September 1, 2025

Source: people.com