Social media users have been expressing their surprise at Dwayne Johnson's 'unrecognisable' appearance during a film festival.
On Monday (1 September), the 53-year-old Moana star received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival for his upcoming sports drama film, The Smashing Machine, which is set to hit cinemas next month (3 October).
In videos that have since circulated on social media, Johnson, also known as WWE wrestler 'The Rock', embraced the film’s director, Benny Safdie, while his co-star, Emily Blunt, smiled next to him.
For the film, Johnson went through a serious transformation in order to play MMA fighter and UFC pioneer Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, and a Pride FC competitor.
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To look more like Kerr, Johnson wore facial prosthetics, and he also reportedly lost around 60 pounds to bring his weight closer to 240 lbs than his usual 300 lbs.
"I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain," he said last year.
Johnson added: "Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting."
The dramatic weight loss has since sparked a heated online discussion, with some critics asking: "What happened to The Rock?"
"From Rock to Pebble!" quipped a second while many others piled on unfounded speculation regarding his weight loss - clearly not in the know that he'd lost the weight for the movie role.
The majority of others, however, were quick to defend the Fast and Furious actor, as one person penned: "This was him last night as they celebrated a 15-minute standing ovation for his new movie in Venice.
"He still looks huge. Why hate? Jealousy is an unattractive trait. Why do we have to tear people down?"
"People really don't understand the work and commitment needed for big builds," explained a second. "When you get older, you just want to enjoy your life and not spend it on eating 6000 calories, meal preps and endless hours at the gym."
A third chimed in: "The Rock is close to 60. Maintenance on that size wasn’t physically possible. Dave [Bautista] did the same. Shout out to them. For living healthier lifestyles."
A fourth added: "Why is body positivity only a one way street? Why is it ok for people to talk so negatively about someone like the Rock moving down from a pumped up version of himself to something healthier that works for HIM!"
Topics: Celebrity, TV And Film, Social Media
Rhiannon Ingle