Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has long been synonymous with immovable brawn. For decades, his towering physique and might‑on‑screen persona made him one of Hollywood’s most covetable action stars. From WWE arenas to blockbuster franchises, his image as the unbreakable juggernaut was nearly unassailable.
That image, however, has undergone a startling shift. At the recent Venice International Film Festival, Johnson appeared with a physique that seemed almost foreign to longtime fans. Gone was the colossal, sculpted version many had come to expect—replaced by a noticeably slimmer, leaner form.
News outlets wasted no time noticing and discussing it. A piece in USA Today photographer Nigel Cook’s coverage caught many off guard. As the star stepped onto the red carpet, whispers spread instantly across social platforms: “The Rock has slimmed down.” Audiences watched in disbelief as one change followed another—or appeared to—raising eyebrows and fueling speculation.
More than just mild curiosity, several threads on X (Twitter) championed the new nickname “The Pebble,” poking at the contrast between Johnson’s usual mountain of a form and the slender version on display. One viral post even summarized the reaction: “He’s half of what he was!” The Rock is currently going viral after losing a lot of muscle👀 pic.twitter.com/joGhS4GMo1 — kira 👾 (@kirawontmiss) September 1, 2025