venice, Italy – dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stunned audiences at the Venice Film Festival monday after appearing dramatically thinner for his role as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the new film, Heart of Fighter – The Smashing Machine. The 53-year-old actor reportedly lost 27kg, dropping from 136kg to 107kg, for the part.
The physical conversion has already sparked Oscar buzz for Johnson, with critics predicting a potential Best Actor nomination in 2026. Following a screening of the film, Johnson and the cast received a 15-minute standing ovation, reminiscent of the support Brendan Fraser received at the festival for The Whale prior to his Oscar win. johnson told The times of India he took on the role as Kerr as an opportunity to break free from the types of roles Hollywood typically offers him, stating, “Sometimes it is difficult to know what you are able to do when you are labeled as something.”
Directed by Benny Safdie, Heart of fighter – The Smashing Machine chronicles the life of Kerr, a mixed martial arts fighter who struggled with addiction and personal demons. The film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival marks a significant moment in Johnson’s career, signaling a deliberate shift towards more challenging and dramatic roles.
A tweet from Variety‘s Ramin Setoodeh documented Johnson visibly emotional during the extended standing ovation.
