The Rock explains reason behind dramatic slimdown

While attending the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival today, the actor discussed having to lose weight after bulking up for the MMA movie The Smashing Machine, set to be released 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,” he said, per People.

Johnson, 53, joked that his new diet consists of him eating “less chicken.”

“This is me slimmed down,” he said, referring to his figure. “In the process of slimming down. I still have a long ways to go.”

The actor turned heads when arriving in Italy for the Venice Film Festival, appearing noticeably thinner earlier this month.

Johnson was all smiles, wearing a blue-collared shirt and white pants.

Fans quickly shared their concerns via X, with one writing, “I hope he’s not sick because he looks very thin.”

“No way this is him or recent. 6-7 months ago he was on raw jacked. He wouldn’t lose that much muscle so fast. He would still be working out and stuff,” another chimed in.

“The Rock has turned into a pebble …,” a third joked.

The star gave fans another look at his transformation while walking the red carpet for The Smashing Machine at the festival.

Johnson previously discussed transforming his body for the film, saying that it was “something [he] was really hungry to do,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“I had been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had over the years and to make the films that I’ve made, but 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.

Johnson is no stranger to changing his figure and diet for roles. He also underwent a big transformation while preparing for his role in the 2023 superhero film Black Adam.

At the time, he took to social media to share that he was “working extremely hard dieting, training and conditioning unlike any other role of [his] entire career.”

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.