Dwayne Johnson is undertaking a striking physical transformation by slimming down for his upcoming film role in the adaptation of Lizard Music. The 53-year-old actor revealed this change during a career retrospective at the Toronto International Film Festival, emphasizing his shift from his usual action-hero image to a more unconventional character portrayal.
Transitioning from Muscle-Bound Roles to Complex Characters
Johnson is currently losing the substantial muscle mass he gained for his previous role as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. He confirmed that he is actively working toward a leaner physique for his next project, which reunites him with director Benny Safdie.
This is me slimmed down. In the process of slimming down. I still have a long way to go,
Johnson said at the TIFF event, as reported by People.
I’m so excited to get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in Smashing Machine.
The film, based on Daniel Pinkwater’s novel, features Johnson playing an eccentric and whimsical man in his seventies nicknamed the Chicken Man. Johnson described the character during the event, saying
a very whimsical and eccentric 70-something-year-old man called the Chicken Man. And his best friend is a 70-something-year-old chicken,
according to People.
When asked about how he was preparing for the role, Johnson jokingly mentioned the challenge of slimming down, quipping that it involves eating less chicken.
The story centers on a young boy who encounters a mysterious late-night TV program showcasing lizards performing music. This discovery leads him through a secret door to the Chicken Man and an adventure on an invisible island filled with intelligent lizard musicians.
Johnson expressed enthusiasm for the project after hearing Safdie’s pitch, recalling,
Benny pitched me this after [Smashing Machine]. And after about 45 minutes, this pitch ended and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man,’
highlighting his immediate connection to the character.
Challenging Hollywood’s Typecasting Through Diverse Roles
This upcoming role illustrates Johnson’s intention to broaden his acting repertoire beyond the action-packed and comedic films that first brought him fame. His role in The Smashing Machine was met with a highly emotional response at the Venice Film Festival, including a standing ovation lasting 15 minutes. Buoyed by this success, Johnson has expressed a strong desire to pursue more dramatic and challenging roles in his career.
I just had this burning desire and this voice that was saying, ‘Well, again, what if?’
Johnson said during a press conference at Venice, as noted by ScreenCrush.
But what if there is more and what if I can? And a lot of times it’s harder for us to, or at least for me, to know what you’re capable of when you’ve been pigeonholed into something.
The actor also spoke about the constraints imposed by Hollywood’s focus on box office performance, which often pushes actors into narrow categories. He explained,
When you’re in Hollywood, as we all know, it had become about box office and you chase the box office,
and
The box office in our business that we know is very loud and it can be very resounding, and it could push you into a category and into a corner.
Johnson’s recent choices are driven more by his own artistic ambitions than by external pressures. He reflected,
I don’t think it’s anything to prove to Hollywood as much as it’s just for me now,
indicating a personal shift in motivation.
In a candid moment, Johnson questioned whether he was fulfilling his own dreams or those set by others, sharing,
I looked around a few years ago, and I started to think, ‘Am I living my dream or am I living other people’s dreams?’
This introspection has shaped his decision to take on this unique role.
Fan Reactions and Physical Dedication to Roles
Johnson’s slimmed-down appearance has caught the attention of fans, particularly after his recent public appearances. His unveiling at the Venice Film Festival sparked widespread social media commentary, with many praising his commitment to embodying different characters physically.
For the role of Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, Johnson underwent a demanding transformation process, spending several hours daily in makeup and prosthetics. This intense experience appears to have deepened his dedication to radical physical changes for dramatic effect.
Lizard Music represents Johnson’s second collaboration with director Benny Safdie, following their successful work together on The Smashing Machine, which earned Safdie the directing award at Venice. This partnership seems to be guiding Johnson into new creative stages, redefining his career path away from the conventional blockbuster roles that once defined him.
