Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has revealed the reason behind his recent weight loss, which has surprised many fans. The 53-year-old actor is shedding pounds for his upcoming film, "Lizard Music." At the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, Johnson described his character as "a very whimsical and eccentric 70-something-year-old man called the Chicken Man," who has a best friend that is a 70-year-old chicken. He humorously noted that his preparation for the role involves eating "less chicken."

Johnson expressed his excitement about the transformation, stating, "I’m so excited because I get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in ‘Smashing Machine.’ Can’t wait." He acknowledged that he still has a long way to go in his weight loss journey, saying, "This is me slimmed down."

The actor debuted his leaner appearance at the Venice Film Festival on August 25, where fans took notice of his new look. Comments on social media reflected surprise at his slimmer physique, with one user noting, "Yep had to do a double take... He’s so lean."

Before this transformation, Johnson portrayed MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the sports drama "The Smashing Machine." He described that role as one of the most challenging he has faced, admitting it made him nervous. "It was very real. I had not experienced that in a very, very, very long time, where I was really scared and thinking, ‘I don’t know if I can do this. Can I do this?’" he said in an interview.

To prepare for the role of Kerr, Johnson wore 13 to 14 prosthetics daily, which helped him fully embody the character. He spent hours in front of a mirror, watching his transformation. "By the time I got to set, I was Mark Kerr and I felt it, from how he walked to how he talked and how he looked at life," he explained.

Johnson's upcoming film, "Lizard Music," is based on a novel by Daniel Pinkwater. The story follows a boy who discovers a late-night broadcast featuring lizards playing music, leading him to the Chicken Man and his companion, a chicken named Claudia. Johnson accepted the role quickly, stating, "Benny pitched me this after, and after about 45 minutes, this pitch ended, and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man.’"

Filming for "Lizard Music" is expected to begin later this year, with a potential release in 2026. Johnson's recent weight loss and his willingness to take on diverse roles reflect his desire to branch out from the muscular characters he has often portrayed in Hollywood.