Dwayne Johnson ‘Wants to Shed the Beefcake Look’ and ‘Be Taken More Seriously’ Amid Body Transformation

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson teared up during the 15-minute standing ovation his new film, The Smashing Machine, received at the Venice International Film Festival Sept. 2. The 53-year-old, who plays an MMA fighter battling opioid addiction, has been garnering Oscar buzz for the drama, based on the life of Mark Kerr. But it was his slimmed-down physique that really got people talking.

Known for his bulging muscles and epic “cheat day” meals, Dwayne has shed an estimated 60 pounds from his 6-foot-5 frame. An insider tells Star the action hero deliberately changed his workouts and diet to achieve a less ripped look. “Dwayne’s very regulated,” adds the source. “He’s a total pro who knows his body inside and out.”

The transformation might not just be physical. According to the insider, the veteran of blockbuster franchises like Fast & Furious and Jumanji is looking to expand his horizons when it comes to his career.

“That’s a big reason why he’s dropped the weight — he wants to shed the beefcake look for a while and go for parts that will enable him to be taken more seriously as an actor.”

Indeed, the in-demand star recently admitted to The New York Times that he’d been questioning what was driving him. “The truth is, I looked around a few years ago and I started to think, ‘Am I living my dream?’” he said. “‘Or am I living other people’s dreams?’”