The Rock Shows Off New Downsized Physique at 53, Fans React: ‘Off the Gear’

Dwayne Johnson shared a glimpse of his new look at the Venice Film Festival.

Doug Murray
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Doug Murray
Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA,...
3 Min Read
The Rock
The Rock The Rock The Rock (Photo Credit: Instagram: @therock @venice.film.festival)

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is sporting a new look in 2025. On September 1, he showed off his downsized physique at 53 years old during the Venice Film Festival, where he promoted his latest acting project, The Smashing Machine. 

As a wrestling great and acting powerhouse, Johnson has become one of the most famous names in fitness. Through social media, he’s shared insights into his training schedule, often breaking down how he modifies his workouts to accommodate the injuries he’s picked up over the years. 

In his latest endeavor, The Rock transformed his physique to play MMA legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. Clips show the Hollywood star looking completely unrecognizable, thanks to over a dozen prosthetics needed to play the role. 

Given that Johnson carried significant muscle mass and size for so long, questions surrounding his use of steroids surfaced. IFBB Pro/coach Greg Doucette recently tackled whether The Rock used gear to achieve his physique. Doucette said he’d put 1000-to-1 odds on Johnson having taken steroids, adding that it wasn’t a small amount but a lot.

The Rock Stuns Fans With Slimmed-Down Physique

Find Instagram images/videos of The Rock’s new look down below: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOFENrfAoXV/

The Rock
The Rock

 

It’s unclear exactly how much weight The Rock lost, though some suspect it to be around 60 pounds. Fans were quick to offer their opinion on his transformation: 

“Off the gear” 

“Smart, should never have gotten as big as he did that old anyway”

“I mean he’s prob still enormous compared to even the community of people that just go to the gym. And aside from that, him walking around at his largest requires a lot of pharmaceutical enhancements that prob aren’t good for his health”

“His leaner physique, reportedly around 240 pounds, a significant drop from his usual 300 pounds. This weight loss is for his role as MMA legend Mark Kerr in the upcoming A24 film, The Smashing Machine.”

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“Supposedly, he down low had a heart attack. The roids had to be discontinued.” 

“He probably wants to live a longer life” 

“Looks healthier and can promote healthier image standards for men.”

“Rock, pebbles, scissors” 

Johnson isn’t the only high-profile action star to drop significant weight. Fellow WWE superstar Dave Bautista just went through a similar process. He revealed that a new movie role nudged him to sport a leaner look, so Bautista dropped nearly 130 pounds

Despite getting older, The Rock is determined to preserve his health. With a leaner, more streamlined physique, perhaps it will lead to additional acting opportunities on the horizon. 

RELATED: The Rock Talks 2025 Leg Workout Routine Using Monster Sets for ‘Steady Progress & Gains’

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Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA, for publications like Sportskeeda and CagesidePress informs his in-depth reporting.
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