Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is once again proving that he’s more than just an action superstar. At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, the 53-year-old actor revealed he is undergoing a striking physical transformation—this time not by bulking up, but by slimming down—for his next film role. Johnson confirmed that he will star as an eccentric 70-year-old character known as “Chicken Man” in the upcoming adaptation of Lizard Music, directed by Benny Safdie.
The project marks another step in Johnson’s ongoing journey to redefine his acting career. Having already stunned critics with his raw and emotional performance as MMA legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, Johnson is preparing to surprise audiences again—this time in a quirky, whimsical role very different from his action-heavy blockbusters.
Shedding Pounds After Adding Muscle for The Smashing Machine
Earlier this year, Johnson underwent intense training and packed on more than 30 pounds of muscle to authentically embody Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. The Smashing Machine, which chronicles Kerr’s life, dives into both the triumphs and dark struggles of the fighter, including substance abuse and personal turmoil. The role pushed Johnson to his emotional and physical limits, requiring extensive prosthetics, long hours in the gym, and a willingness to expose vulnerability rarely seen in his filmography.
The payoff has been significant. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to glowing reviews, with Johnson reportedly moved to tears by a 15-minute standing ovation. Critics praised him for stepping outside his comfort zone, with some even suggesting the performance could earn him his first serious Oscar nomination.
Now, only weeks later, Johnson is embarking on a completely opposite physical journey. He admitted at TIFF that he has been steadily dropping weight to achieve the leaner frame needed to portray the offbeat “Chicken Man.” While still visibly muscular, he acknowledged, “I still have a long way to go. I’m in the process of slimming down.” In a lighthearted remark, he joked that the transformation required “eating less chicken.”
Who Is the “Chicken Man”?
The film Lizard Music is based on a 1976 children’s novel by Daniel Pinkwater, well known for its surreal humor and cult following. In the story, a boy named Victor encounters bizarre late-night television broadcasts featuring lizards playing jazz music. His adventures lead him to the mysterious “Chicken Man,” an eccentric, whimsical older man who befriends a chicken his own age.
By stepping into this eccentric role, Johnson is embracing one of his most unconventional characters yet. The project reunites him with Benny Safdie, co-director of Uncut Gems and director of The Smashing Machine. Safdie’s reputation for pushing actors into challenging territory suggests that Johnson’s performance in Lizard Music may be equally transformative—albeit in a more comedic and surreal direction.
Breaking Away From the Action-Hero Mold
For years, Johnson has been one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, leading franchises like Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and Black Adam. His on-screen persona was often built around strength, charisma, and blockbuster spectacle. But Johnson admitted that, for a while, he felt “pigeonholed” into similar roles.
“I allowed it to happen,” he said at TIFF, explaining that he’s now determined to diversify his career. Projects like The Smashing Machine and Lizard Music represent a conscious pivot toward roles that challenge his image and allow him to explore new emotional territory.
Industry analysts note that this evolution mirrors the career paths of actors such as Matthew McConaughey, who transitioned from romantic comedies to award-winning dramatic roles. For Johnson, the move signals a desire to be taken seriously not just as a global action star, but as a versatile actor capable of tackling eccentric, layered, and even vulnerable characters.
Upcoming Projects: Balancing Art Films and Blockbusters
Despite his current focus on artistic challenges, Johnson isn’t leaving behind the blockbuster arena that made him a household name. During his TIFF talk, he confirmed that filming for Jumanji 3—a reunion with his comedy partner Kevin Hart—will begin in November 2025. Fans of his larger-than-life adventures can therefore expect him to return to familiar territory even as he branches out into more experimental cinema.
This dual strategy allows Johnson to balance creative risk with commercial appeal. On one hand, he is pursuing projects with award-winning directors that push his acting limits; on the other, he continues to lead mainstream franchises that dominate the global box office.
Why This Role Is Significant
- Transformation: Johnson is shedding the muscle mass that defined his action image, taking on a new physical look for the first time in decades.
- Collaboration: Reuniting with Benny Safdie continues a partnership that has already yielded strong critical acclaim.
- Artistic Growth: By embracing the surreal world of Lizard Music, Johnson is signaling a willingness to surprise audiences and critics alike.
- Career Longevity: Expanding his range may help him remain relevant in Hollywood far beyond his action-hero prime.
A Rock Reinvented
Dwayne Johnson’s decision to take on the role of “Chicken Man” may seem surprising, but it fits perfectly into his current career narrative. After proving with The Smashing Machine that he can deliver award-worthy dramatic performances, he is now leaning into eccentricity and fantasy.
This transformation underscores Johnson’s versatility, ambition, and determination to control his own narrative. Rather than staying confined to the action genre, he is carving out a space where he can be both a global superstar and a serious actor unafraid of reinvention.
For audiences, it means that the coming years may showcase a very different side of “The Rock”—one that trades muscle for whimsy, and blockbuster spectacle for surreal storytelling.
The Information is Collected from Variety and Yahoo.
