Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has undergone a major physical transformation for his upcoming film Lizard Music, directed by Benny Safdie. The actor has revealed that he lost around 22.7 kilograms over the course of nearly a year, bringing his weight down from approximately 127.9 kilograms during The Smashing Machine to around 106.5 kilograms. The transformation marks a significant change for an actor widely known for his muscular physique and demanding fitness routines.
Johnson recently spoke about the process in a social media video, addressing questions about his training, diet, conditioning, endurance work and the adjustments he made while gradually reducing his body weight. Rather than attempting to lose the weight rapidly, the actor explained that he deliberately gave himself a long period to make the change. His approach was shaped not only by the requirements of his new role but also by the physical strain he had already experienced while filming his previous project.
The actor explained that the transition was not immediately possible after completing The Smashing Machine. He had to move almost directly into production for the live-action adaptation of Moana, leaving him only a few weeks between projects. Under different circumstances, Johnson said he would have started reducing his weight sooner, particularly because carrying additional body weight had placed considerable stress on his joints and overall system.
He also entered that period while dealing with injuries sustained during The Smashing Machine. Johnson revealed that he had injured his calf and elbow, making the prospect of immediately beginning an aggressive weight-loss programme even more complicated. Recovery and professional commitments therefore had to be balanced with the physical requirements of his upcoming work.
The situation became even more demanding because his appearance as Maui in the live-action Moana required him to maintain a larger, more powerful physique. Johnson explained that he could not simply reduce his size between productions because the character demanded a substantial physical presence. With only around two or three weeks available before filming began, there was not enough time to make a major change without potentially affecting the continuity of his appearance.
Johnson said, “I had to maintain it because I got somewhat-first, I got a somewhat angular face, and I got a big head, circumference-wise. More brain, they say, when you have a big head. Well, at least I say that.”
As a result, the actor continued carrying his heavier weight for several more months. According to Johnson, the overall period of maintaining that size lasted for roughly eight to eight and a half months. While his physique has long been associated with strength and high-level conditioning, he acknowledged that remaining at such a heavy weight for an extended period eventually took a toll on his body.
The experience also influenced how he approached the preparation for Lizard Music. Instead of attempting another rapid physical transformation, Johnson decided to spread the process over a much longer period. The role required him to portray an older gentleman, making his previous heavily muscular appearance less suitable for the character.
Johnson explained, “I knew that I had to prepare for my next film, this one with Benny Safdie. It’s called Lizard Music, where I play an older gentleman, and I had to lose about 50 pounds. So I took my time. I took about a year to drop the weight, and trial and error and trial and error.”
The difference between his previous and current physiques is substantial. Johnson went from approximately 282 pounds, or 127.9 kilograms, during The Smashing Machine period to around 235 pounds, or 106.5 kilograms, while preparing for Lizard Music. Losing roughly 50 pounds represents a significant reduction, particularly for someone whose career has been closely connected with an exceptionally muscular body type.
The actor said that his preparation involved working with experienced professionals, including Olympic coaches and professional athletes. Such guidance allowed him to approach the transformation as a long-term conditioning project rather than simply focusing on the number displayed on a weighing scale.
Johnson has also described changes to his training routine during this period. He said he incorporated both cardio and training sessions while fasting. His preparation therefore involved a combination of weight management, conditioning and endurance work rather than relying on a single method to achieve the desired physical change.
For Johnson, the transformation appears to have been as much about sustainability as appearance. Rapid weight loss can place considerable demands on the body, particularly when an individual is simultaneously training intensely or recovering from injuries. By giving himself approximately a year, he was able to make the change more gradually while continuing to meet his professional commitments.
The actor also appears to have found a weight at which he currently feels comfortable. After reaching approximately 235 pounds, Johnson said he prefers maintaining his current size for the time being. He indicated that he may eventually increase his weight slightly after completing the Lizard Music shoot, potentially adding around five pounds.
Johnson said, “And so now, at 235, I like maintaining this weight. I’ll keep it here for a little bit, and maybe after this shoot I’ll maybe come up, maybe five pounds or so.”
The transformation is particularly notable because Johnson has spent much of his public career maintaining a highly muscular appearance. From his professional wrestling days to his Hollywood roles, his physical presence has often been an important part of his screen identity. Films such as The Smashing Machine have required him to build and maintain considerable size, while projects such as the live-action Moana have placed their own demands on his appearance.
Lizard Music represents a different kind of physical challenge. Rather than building a larger frame for an action-oriented or physically imposing character, Johnson is adjusting his appearance to fit a role that requires him to portray an older man. That shift highlights the extent to which modern film performances can demand major physical changes from actors, sometimes requiring months of preparation outside the actual filming schedule.
