Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shares the reason behind his recent weight loss

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Reveals Why He Lost Weight Ahead of New Film Role

For decades, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been celebrated for his commanding physique—an image built through years in professional wrestling and later carried into Hollywood blockbusters. But fans and media have noticed something different about him lately: he looks leaner than usual.

The 52-year-old star addressed the speculation during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival’s “In Conversation With…” series on Monday, where he explained the reason behind his slimmer look.

A New Role Demands Transformation

Johnson, while still impressively muscular, revealed that he deliberately slimmed down for his next project. Speaking to the audience, he announced his involvement in Lizard Music, a quirky adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater’s cult novel.

“We’re gonna make a film called Lizard Music, which is based off a novel written by Daniel Pinkwater,” Johnson shared. “It’s a very whimsical and eccentric story about a 70-something-year-old man known as the Chicken Man, and his best friend is a 70-something-year-old chicken.”

The Rock emphasized how much he relishes the challenge of morphing physically and emotionally for a role. “I’m so excited because I get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in Smashing Machine. Can’t wait.”

From Bulked-Up Champion to Leaner Character

This marks a sharp contrast to his preparation for The Smashing Machine, the highly anticipated biographical drama where Johnson portrays former MMA fighter and UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr. For that role, Johnson packed on muscle to convincingly embody Kerr’s brutal strength and intensity.

The Smashing Machine recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival to glowing reviews, with critics praising Johnson for his raw, powerful performance. The buzz has even sparked Oscar nomination speculation, a major milestone for an actor often typecast as the action hero.

But Lizard Music requires something entirely different. Rather than bulking up, Johnson is now focused on shedding size to bring authenticity to the whimsical role. “This is me slimmed down,” he said with a laugh. “I still have a long way to go.”

Reinventing Himself Once Again

What makes this transformation noteworthy is Johnson’s ongoing commitment to reinvention. For a man who built his career on being “The Rock”—a symbol of unmatched physical dominance—choosing to slim down reflects both artistic ambition and personal growth.

Fans are already intrigued by the shift, and industry watchers see it as another example of Johnson expanding his range. From wrestling arenas to box office dominance, and now potentially to the Oscars, he continues to redefine what it means to be a global entertainer.

As Johnson put it himself: “It’s super humbling to be able to push myself in new ways, whether that’s bulking up for a fighter or leaning down for something more eccentric. For me, it’s always about telling the story the right way.”

With The Smashing Machine gaining critical acclaim and Lizard Music on the horizon, 2025 may shape up to be one of the most pivotal years of The Rock’s career—proving that even Hollywood’s strongest man knows how to adapt, evolve, and surprise audiences all over again.