Film festival spectators are taken aback by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's leaner appearance at the Venice Film Festival
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson made a striking appearance at the Venice Film Festival, debuting a slimmer physique as he graced the red carpet for the premiere of his latest film, "The Smashing Machine."
Johnson takes on the role of real-life former wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr in this highly anticipated biographical drama. Directed and written by Benny Safdie, "The Smashing Machine" chronicles Kerr's rise to UFC glory and his subsequent struggles with opioid addiction and personal demons.
At a press conference for the movie, Johnson reflected on taking on a different role after making his name as an action star. He expressed gratitude for the support of his co-star, Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr's then-wife Dawn Staples in the film. Johnson credited Blunt and Safdie for giving him the confidence to take on the challenging part.
Johnson spent up to four hours in the makeup chair and wore 13 to 14 prosthetics to portray Kerr. Fans were surprised and impressed by his dedication to the role, as he was clad in a light blue short-sleeved button-down silk shirt with a colorful print and black pants.
"The Smashing Machine" has already generated awards buzz for Johnson, with some critics praising his transformative performance. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion, the highest prize at the Venice Film Festival.
Johnson shared his thoughts on the challenges that actors can face when breaking the cycle of typecasting, reflecting on his own journey from wrestling to acting. He encouraged others to embrace change and take on roles that push them out of their comfort zones.
"The Smashing Machine" will be released in theaters on Oct. 3. For more updates on the film, you can reach Ashley Hume, an entertainment writer for the website Digital, at [email protected] or on Twitter: @ashleyhume.
