Dwayne Johnson, Hollywood superstar and former professional wrestler, was visibly moved to tears during the premiere of his latest film, The Smashing Machine, at the Venice Film Festival. The actor, known worldwide as “The Rock,” plays world wrestling champion Mark Kerr in the upcoming biographical drama.
The audience’s 15-minute standing ovation left Johnson overwhelmed with emotion, marking one of the longest applause sessions at this year’s festival. Johnson, 53, appeared dramatically transformed for the role, having lost 27 kilograms to portray Kerr authentically. The physical transformation included extensive prosthetics to replicate Kerr’s appearance and the darker aspects of his life, including struggles with painkiller addiction and personal relationships.
Director Benny Safdie, who also became emotional during the screening, praised Johnson’s dedication.
“This was a transformation I had been eager to see him undertake,” Safdie said during the post-screening press conference. Johnson echoed the sentiment, noting, “I’ve been lucky in my career, but there’s always been a small voice asking, ‘What if I could do more?’”
