Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson reveals reason behind his drastic slimdown

Dwayne Johnson reveals the reason behind his slimdown for Lizard Music and says he still has a long way to go.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is opening up about his dramatic body transformation, revealing that it is all in preparation for his upcoming role in the film Lizard Music, directed by Benny Safdie. While attending the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, the actor shared details about his slimdown, explaining that it follows his bulking-up phase for his role in The Smashing Machine, set for release in October.

"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," Johnson, 53, told People, expressing his enthusiasm for the challenge. He humorously mentioned that his current diet involves eating "less chicken," poking fun at his disciplined approach to weight loss.

Referring to his thinner physique, Johnson acknowledged, “This is me slimmed down. In the process of slimming down. I still have a long ways to go.” Fans first noticed his noticeable weight loss when he arrived in Italy for the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, sporting a blue-collared shirt and white pants. His transformation led to a wave of concern from fans on social media, with some questioning whether he was unwell due to his leaner appearance.

Despite the online reactions, Johnson reassured his followers by offering another glimpse of his progress at the red carpet event for The Smashing Machine. He previously explained that this transformation was something he had been eager to do. “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?’” he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnson, who is known for his intense physical transformations for roles, had also undergone significant changes while preparing for his role in the 2023 superhero film Black Adam. In previous social media posts, he shared how he was working harder than ever on his diet and training for the character.

The actor’s latest transformation for Lizard Music is just another chapter in his ongoing dedication to pushing the boundaries of his physicality for his craft.