Originally appeared on E! Online
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson does whatever it takes to look the part.
Indeed, while preparing to play the role of real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr in his latest film The Smashing Machine, the professional wrestler detailed the “many hours” of training he endured to achieve the 2025 UFC Hall of Famer’s physique.
“Cardio in the morning, then I would go eat breakfast, and then I would go train, and then I would go eat again and then I would go back for all the MMA training,” Dwayne told E! News’ Francesca Amiker at the film’s North American premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. “I had to gain 30 pounds, and that’s a lot to carry.”
Beyond just gaining the weight, the 53-year-old had to go the extra mile and keep the weight on as he transitioned into his next project.
“Not only did I gain 30 pounds for this role, then two weeks later, I had to shoot live action Moana,” he recalled. “I had to keep the weight on. It was crazy.”
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As for how he got through the long hours of difficult training? Well, Dwayne—who shares kids Jasmine, 9, and Tiana, 6, with wife Lauren Hashian as well as daughter Simone, 24, with ex-wife Dany Garcia—couldn’t have done it without encouragement from his friends and family.
“I had a lot of good people around me who said, ‘Yeah, you can do it and we’ll help you do it,’” he noted. “So that’s the key.”
After all, the Moana actor didn’t accept the role for recognition or awards—though he has generated some serious Oscars buzz ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards.
“I wanted to do something for me,” he explained. “I wanna do something that allows me to rip myself open and really dive deep. I had Benny Safdie, who was that director to say, ‘You can do it. Not only can you do it, I got you.’”
(Photo by Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic)
Beyond the unwavering support from his director, Dwayne’s costar Emily Blunt, who portrays Mark’s ex-wife Dawn Staples in the biographical drama, was also always in his corner.
“Emily is one of my best friends,” he said of the Devil Wears Prada actress. “The buzz that the movies getting is very surreal and its awesome. The key, I think, is to keep it all in stride, just be cool with it and take each day one at a time.”
For more stars who made an appearance at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, keep reading…
Colin Farrell
The Oscar-winning actor arrived at the Ballad of a Small Player premiere impeccably dressed in a pinstriped two-piece suit.
Fala Chen
Radiant in red, the Chinese-American actress graced the TIFF premiere of Ballad of a Small Player.
Scarlett Johansson
She attended the Eleanor the Great premiere in a custom Valentino gown by Alessandro Michele, paired with Prada sandals and Messika jewelry.
Jacob Elordi
He wore Bottega Veneta on the TIFF red carpet for the premiere of Frankenstein during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Amanda Seyfried
She struck a casual yet stylish pose for People at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu, and Dustin Hoffman
Stars of The White Lotus, No Exit, and The Graduate posed together on the red carpet ahead of the Tuner premiere.
Andrew Scott
Sported a sharp all-black look at TIFF for the premiere of Blue Moon.
Ethan Hawke
The actor made another red carpet appearance at TIFF for the Sept. 8 premiere of Blue Moon.
Sigourney Weaver
She stepped onto the TIFF red carpet in a sleek black and red suit ahead of the premiere of Dust Bunny.
Erin Kellyman
Radiated elegance in a short green pleated gown featuring a V-shaped neckline and off-the-shoulder silhouette, she turned heads on the red carpet at TIFF.
Christoph Waltz
The Oscar-winning actor attended TIFF on Sept. 8 for the premiere of Frankenstein.
Lee Byung-hun
Draped in luxurious black velvet for the TIFF premiere of No Other Choice.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
The Academy Award-nominated actor attended TIFF for the premiere of Eleanor the Great.
John Krasinski and Emily Blunt
The dashing couple beams brightly, grinning from ear to ear as they posed together on the red carpet at TIFF for the premiere of Smashing Machine.
Oscar Isaac
Made a timeless entrance on the red carpet for the premiere of Frankenstein.
Dwayne Johnson
“Rocked” a suit worn without a shirt, featuring silk lapels and styled with a scarf, for the Smashing Machine premiere at TIFF.
Vivien Rujder
She wore a strapless, floor-length gown in a soft cream hue, exquisitely adorned with layered floral appliqués, embodying romantic elegance at the premiere of Rise of the Raven during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8.
Bobby Cannavale
Making a distinguished appearance, the Emmy-winning actor attended the Blue Moon premiere at TIFF.
Seal
Attended Dust To Dreams: Short Cuts 2025 Programme 04 during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Mia Goth
She served old Hollywood glamour in a white halter gown, anchored by black accents, at the TIFF premiere of Frankenstein Sept. 8.
Brendan Fletcher
Known for his roles in The Revenant, Rampage, and Freddy vs. Jason, the versatile actor turned heads with a casually edgy look at TIFF.
Rotimi
The Nigerian-American performer attended the Black Excellence Brunch during TIFF 2025 on Sept. 8.
Clement Virgo and Marci Ien
Canadian stars attended the Black Excellence Brunch during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Britney Theriot and Russell Crowe
The couple made a rare red carpet appearance at TIFF for the premiere of Nuremberg.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
