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Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson<\/strong> shed a ton of weight for his latest role \u2014 but friends are warning the rapidly shrinking star to hit the brakes before he jeopardizes his well-being, sources say.<\/p>\n However, the 53-year-old action hero is turning a deaf ear because he hopes his physical transformation will help propel him to new heights as a dramatic actor, sources say.<\/p>\n The ex-wrestling champ flaunted his slimmed-down physique at the premiere of his starring vehicle The Smashing Machine<\/em>, which is based on the life of troubled UFC fighter Mark Kerr<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wants to be taken seriously as an actor, and this movie is his big chance to stand up with the other A-listers like Brad Pitt<\/strong> and George Clooney<\/strong>, but there are worries he\u2019s going to dangerous extremes,\u201d an insider shares.<\/p>\n The Rock confides he was \u201creally hungry\u201d to change for the meaty part, according to the Hollywood Reporter<\/em><\/a>. He says, \u201cI had been very fortunate to have the career that I\u2019ve had over the years and to make the films that I\u2019ve made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, \u2018Well, what if I could do more \u2014 I want to do more and what does that look like?\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n The insider explains, \u201cHe\u2019s known to go through torturous physical transformations to get a certain look for a role, but the fear is he\u2019s taking a huge risk with his health.\u201d<\/p>\n According to sources, the situation calls to mind musclebound wrestler turned actor Dave Bautista<\/strong>, who gained major pounds for the 2023 horror flick Knock at the Cabin<\/em>.<\/p>\n Dave, 56, confesses in an interview with Chris Van Vliet<\/strong> that he shared on TikTok<\/a>, \u201cI put on an uncomfortable amount of weight, and it took me forever to shed it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adds the insider, \u201cPals fear Dwayne\u2019s doing the same in reverse. But Dwayne says he\u2019s excited and enjoying this new journey and nothing will sway him to change his ways.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staging.nationalenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Featured-2-dwayne-johnson-.jpeg\")
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