Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Unveils Weight Loss Transformation That Will Make You Do a Double Take

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson showed off the weight loss transformation he underwent to play MMA fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine while stepping out at the 2025 Venice Film Festival Aug. 30.

By Leah Degrazia Sep 01, 2025 5:08 PM
| Updated Sep 01, 2025 8:40 PM
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Watch: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Unveils Weight Loss Transformation That Will Make You Do a Double Take

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is making everyone do fast and furious double takes. 

The Moana star's dramatic weight loss transformation for his upcoming film The Smashing Machine was on full display while stepping out at the Miu Miu Women's Tales event on Aug. 30 during the 2025 Venice Film Festival.

Dwayne—who portrays real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the movie—showed off his new slimmed-down figure during the outing by sporting a silk, short-sleeved blue button-down adorned with colorful sketches and straight-leg black trousers. In a video captured from the occasion and shared to X Aug. 31, the 53-year-old looked so different as he tucked his hands into his pockets and smiled for the cameras. 

Following the unveiling, many fans were impressed with his head-turning new appearance. As one user wrote on X, "Yep had to do a double take."

Others noted how much his body has changed with light-hearted quips about his stage name. 

"The rock became the pebble," another user said, while a third added that he's "turning into The Pebble."

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And more than a few expressed their excitement over seeing his transformation on screen in The Smashing Machine, which was directed by Benny Safdie and also stars Emily Blunt.

Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Miu Miu

"The Smashing Machine is really setting the bar high," one user said. "An unrecognizable Dwayne Johnson looks to give the best performance of his career."

Indeed, Dwayne was equally thrilled to show off his new appearance, which in addition to losing weight, included him applying over a dozen prosthetics and sitting in a makeup chair for up to four hours per day. 

Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

“This transformation was something I was really hungry to do," the former wrestler said during a Sept. 1 press conference for the film, per 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?'”

For more stars who stepped out at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, keep reading. 

Adrian Grenier

The Entourage star returned to the red carpet for the premiere of In the Hand of Dante at the Venice Film Festival.

Idris Elba & Sabrina Dhowre Elba

The British actor and his wife were all smiles at the premiere of A House of Dynamite on Sept. 2.

Greta Lee

The actress stunned in a Dior dress and platinum jewelry from Tiffany & Co. at the premiere of A House of Dynamite on Sept. 2.

Jason Momoa

The Aquaman star rolled up to the red carpet in a pink suit on Sept. 3.

Rooney Mara & Joaquin Phoenix

The couple enjoyed a rare red carpet date night at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 3.

Rebecca Ferguson

The Mission Impossible actress rocked a sculptural black gown at the A House of Dynamite premiere on Sept. 2.

Amanda Seyfried

The Oscar-nominated actress wrapped things up in a Prada gown featuring a red statement bow at the premiere of The Testament Of Ann Lee on Sept. 1.

Halsey & Avan Jogia

The coolest couple you know walked the red carpet at the premiere of The Smashing Machine on Sept. 1.

Jacod Elordi

The Euphoria star gave a thumbs up as he arrived at the screening of his new movie Frankenstein on Aug. 30.

Emily Blunt

The Devil Wears Prada star added some sparkle to the premiere of The Smashing Machine, wearing a shimmering Tamara Ralph dress.

Oscar Isaac

The Dune actor looked sharp at the premiere of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein on Aug. 30.

Kaia Gerber & Lewis Pullman

The hot new couple step out of their hotel during the Venice Film Festival.

Sofia Carson

The Descendants actress wowed in an Elie Saab gown at the amfAR Gala Venezia 2025 on Aug. 31.

Jude Law, Alicia Vikander & Paul Dano

The three stars of The Wizard Of The Kremlin arrive at the film's premiere on Aug. 31.

Dwayne Johnson

The Rock showed off the dramatic weight loss transformation he underwent for his upcoming movie The Smashing Machine while stepping out at Miu Miu Women's Tales event Aug. 30. 

Callum Turner

The British actor looked dapper in a Louis Vuitton tuxedo in Venice on Aug. 30, as he emerges as a frontrunner to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

Paris Jackson

The musician wore a gorgeous ombre dress to the amfAR Gala in Venice, where she also performed for the star-studded crowd.

Jesse Williams & Colman Domingo

The two actors enjoyed the festivities at the amfAR Gala Venezia 2025 on Aug. 31.

Kaitlyn Dever

The Last of Us actress looked stunning in a chic Armani dress at the Frankenstein red carpet premiere on Aug. 30.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

The actor was almost unrecognizable with his rugged beard and curls at the premiere of Frankenstein on Aug. 30.

Julia Roberts

The Pretty Woman star looked stunning in a Roger Vivier black gown at the premiere of After the Hunt on Aug. 29.

Andrew Garfield

The Spider-Man actor donned blue suit for the premiere of his new film, After the Hunt.

Ayo Edebiri

The award-winning star of The Bear was serving glamor in a floor-length red dress at the After the Hunt premiere on Aug. 29.

Chloe Sevigny

The indie icon stole the spotlight in a Saint Laurent dress and Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the premiere of director Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt on Aug. 29.

Billy Crudup & Naomi Watts

The Mulholland Drive actress and The Morning Show actor packed on the PDA as they walked the red carpet for his new film Jay Kelly on Aug. 28.

Shailene Woodley

The Big Little Lies actress hit the red carpet to support her The Descendants co-star George Clooney at the premiere of his new film, Jay Kelly.

Emma Stone

The Oscar winner stepped out in a floor-length silver gown for the premiere of Bugonia on Aug. 28.

Amal Clooney & George Clooney

The Clooneys showed why they are red carpet royalty at the Jay Kelly premiere, with Amal wearing a stunning fuchsia dress and George in a classic black tux.

Adam Sandler & family

It was a family affair at the Jay Kelly premiere, with the Sandman posing for pics with his wife Jackie Sandler and daughters Sunny and Sadie.

Alicia Silverstone

The Clueless star makes a rare appearance at the Venice Film Festival, attending the premiere of Bugonia on Aug. 28.

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