Actor Dwayne Johnson announces weight loss for peculiar film part
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, the charismatic actor and former wrestler, is set to star in two highly anticipated films.
In a recent announcement, Johnson revealed that he is "teaming up" with director Benny Safdie once again for the film Lizard Music. Based on a novel written by Daniel Pinkwater, Johnson will portray a very whimsical and eccentric 70-something-year-old man called the Chicken Man. Interestingly, his best friend in the film is a 70-something-year-old chicken.
Johnson expressed excitement about transforming for the role, joking that he might have to eat less chicken to fully embody the character.
Meanwhile, Johnson's collaboration with Safdie on The Smashing Machine is already making waves. The film, named after a 2003 documentary about former MMA fighter and UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr, sees Johnson playing Kerr. Co-starring Emily Blunt, The Smashing Machine is scheduled for release in German cinemas on October 2, 2025, with a US release date yet to be announced.
At the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Johnson opened up about his career trajectory, focusing on the impact of his wrestling days on his film career. He emphasised the importance of audience support and the lessons he learned from wrestling, which helped him when transitioning into Hollywood.
Johnson's transition from a wrestler to a film star has allowed him to maintain a connection with his audience. This connection was evident during his discussion about The Smashing Machine and Lizard Music, where he spoke about the importance of pleasing the audience.
In a surprising revelation, Johnson also announced that he is currently shedding weight, although the reason for this weight loss, whether for a specific role or not, was not mentioned.
With these upcoming projects and his continued success, it's clear that Johnson shows no signs of slowing down. Fans can look forward to seeing him in The Smashing Machine and Lizard Music in the near future.
