Originally appeared on E! Online<\/a><\/p>\n Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson<\/a><\/strong> does whatever it takes to look the part.<\/p>\n Indeed, while preparing to play the role of real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr<\/strong> in his latest film The Smashing Machine<\/a>, the professional wrestler detailed the \u201cmany hours\u201d of training he endured to achieve the 2025 UFC Hall of Famer\u2019s physique.<\/p>\n \u201cCardio 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,\u201d Dwayne told E! News\u2019 Francesca Amiker<\/strong> at the film\u2019s North American premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival<\/a>. \u201cI had to gain 30 pounds, and that\u2019s a lot to carry.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only did I gain 30 pounds for this role, then two weeks later, I had to shoot live action Moana,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI had to keep the weight on. It was crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n More from E! Online<\/strong><\/p>\n As for how he got through the long hours of difficult training? Well, Dwayne\u2014who shares kids Jasmine<\/a><\/strong>, 9, and Tiana<\/a><\/strong>, 6, with wife Lauren Hashian<\/a><\/strong> as well as daughter Simone<\/a><\/strong>, 24, with ex-wife Dany Garcia<\/a><\/strong>\u2014couldn\u2019t have done it without encouragement from his friends and family.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a lot of good people around me who said, \u2018Yeah, you can do it and we\u2019ll help you do it,\u2019\u201d he noted. \u201cSo that\u2019s the key.\u201d<\/p>\n After all, the Moana<\/a> actor didn\u2019t accept the role for recognition or awards\u2014though he has generated some serious Oscars buzz ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to do something for me,\u201d he explained. \u201cI wanna do something that allows me to rip myself open and really dive deep. I had Benny Safdie<\/strong>, who was that director to say, \u2018You can do it. Not only can you do it, I got you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n (Photo by Isaiah Trickey\/FilmMagic)<\/p>\n Beyond the unwavering support from his director, Dwayne\u2019s costar Emily Blunt<\/a><\/strong>, who portrays Mark\u2019s ex-wife Dawn Staples<\/strong> in the biographical drama, was also always in his corner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n