Johnson reveals dramatic slim-down was for back-to-back film roles, including a quirky character

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stunned fans this week by unveiling a noticeably slimmer physique as he promoted his latest projects on the international film circuit.

The former WWE champion, famed for his towering build and gym-honed muscles, stepped out at the Venice Film Festival in a light blue collared shirt and black dress trousers that highlighted his leaner frame. Johnson was on hand to promote The Smashing Machine, in which he portrays former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr.

His altered appearance sparked immediate speculation, with many assuming the transformation was part of his preparation for that demanding biographical role. But speaking days later at the Toronto International Film Festival, Johnson revealed that his weight loss was actually linked to another film — a surreal project titled Lizard Music.

In the Benny Safdie-directed feature, Johnson plays “Chicken Man”, a whimsical and eccentric 70-something-year-old. “Benny pitched me this after, and after about 45 minutes, this pitch ended and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man,’” Johnson recalled. “I still have a long ways to go. I’m so excited to get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in The Smashing Machine. [It means] eating less chicken.”

The remark, delivered with his trademark humour, underlined the challenge of taking on roles far removed from the action hero persona that has defined much of Johnson’s career.

Johnson, 53, has long been one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, his muscular frame and charisma making him a natural fit for franchises such as Fast & Furious and Jumanji. Yet in recent years he has sought to diversify his filmography, gravitating towards projects that allow him to display range as both a dramatic and comedic actor.

The Smashing Machine, which explores the brutal rise and fall of UFC fighter Kerr, required Johnson to embody both the physical intensity of mixed martial arts and the emotional vulnerability of a man grappling with addiction and fame. By contrast, Lizard Music offers him a chance to disappear into an entirely different sort of role — eccentric, ageing and offbeat.

His willingness to reshape his body for both projects has drawn praise from critics who have previously questioned whether Johnson’s imposing build limited his acting opportunities. At Venice, industry observers noted that his trimmer figure made him appear almost unrecognisable compared with his peak WWE days.

The transformation also reflects Johnson’s growing collaboration with acclaimed filmmakers. Safdie, best known for Uncut Gems, is renowned for drawing intense and unexpected performances from actors. Johnson’s declaration that he “is Chicken Man” suggests the star has thrown himself fully into the part, even if it means abandoning his famous high-protein diet.

Fans reacted with a mix of surprise and admiration. Social media lit up with images of Johnson’s Venice appearance, with some joking that he looked like he had “shrunk in the wash”. Others praised him for stepping outside his comfort zone.

While Johnson admitted the new look involves eating less — “less chicken”, as he quipped — he has emphasised the positive aspects of the transformation, framing it as an exciting chapter in his career. “I’m so excited to get a chance to hopefully transform again,” he told reporters.As The Smashing Machine heads for release and Lizard Music prepares to begin production, Johnson’s new body of work could prove as transformative for his career as his diet has been for his physique