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Dwayne “Rock” Johnson is debuting a new look!
The 53-year-old pro-Lester-turned-actor heads out to Italy’s Venice International Film Festival on Monday, September 1st, looking much slimmer than his new film, The Smashing Machine.
Johnson stars as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a sports drama directed and written by Benny Safdy.
Stefania d’Alessandro/Wireimage
At the biopic premiere, Moana 2 discussed his transformation.
“This transformation was something I was really hungry,” he said. “I had a career I had over the years and I was very fortunate to be able to make the films I made, but there was just a voice within me.”
The official summary of the film simply describes the Smashing Machine as “the story of legendary martial arts and the UFC fightermark car.”
Johnson’s co-star Emily Blunt portrays Mark’s then-wife Dawn. The 42-year-old British actress posed beside the black Adam actor at multiple events surrounding the film’s Venice International Film Festival premiere.
A24
A video posted from inside the premiere theatre showed the wrestler-turned-actor wiping tears while standing between the dull and Kerr himself.
Safdi was also overcome by bent his knees and crying during a standing ovation.
“This has been the most emotional thing in Lido since Brendan Fraser launched his Oscar campaign for the whales,” said Ramin Setoodeh, co-editor of variety, referring to Fraser’s final victory at the 2023 Academy Awards.
Tim Nuwachuk/Getty
In April, Kerr shared a film poster on his Instagram, expressing his respect for the film.
“I still can’t believe this is the real thing,” Kerr wrote at the time.
He said, “I am very proud of the work that DJ took to become a smashing machine. I am extremely grateful, humble and respectful (all the small) detailed production has been revealed. I can’t wait to share this experience with the world.”
Johnson shared similar feelings in the comments section, writing, “Love your Brazza. I’ve changed your life, my life.”
The Smashing Machine will be released in theaters on October 3rd.
