Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson surprises fans with new look ahead of upcoming role

Dwayne Johnson might be about to 'open up a can of whoop-ass' once he finds out what the internet has been saying about his 'new physique'.

The WWE legend, 53, has been out promoting his latest movie, The Smashing Machine, a role that has made him look completely unrecognisable.

Director Benny Safdie has taken the reins on the biographical sports drama chronicling the life of UFC pioneer Mark Kerr.

It follows Kerr's rise in MMA during the late 90s, highlighting his personal struggles with addiction.

Johnson stars as Kerr, a departure from his typical action roles, to deliver a different sort of performance. Emily Blunt also features as Kerr's partner, Dawn Staples.

But while 'The Rock' has been posing for pics at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday (31 August), fans reckon he's lost a lot of weight.

Dwayne Johnson was made to look very different for the role (A24)

According to The Independent, it has been reported that he has lost 60 lbs for the role, which led people on social media to joke that he has turned from 'The Rock' to 'The Pebble'.

Even though he still looks absolutely massive to me, many have the exact opposite opinion.

“He’s so lean,” one fan wrote.

“Damn, he’s half of what he was!” another user said, as a third person wrote: “Wow nice transformation.”

Johnson - who is yet to comment on the claims - says he's really looking forward to showcasing a different string to his bow.

"When you’re in Hollywood — as we all know, it had become about box office. And you chase the box office, and the box office can be very loud and it can become very resounding and it can push you into a category and into a corner," he said at a press conference on Monday (1 September).

He still looks very hench to me (Victor Boyko/Getty Images)

"This is your lane and this is what you do and this is what Hollywood wants you to do."

He continued: "I just had this burning desire and voice that was saying, ‘What if there is more and what if I can?’

"A lot of times, it’s harder for us — or at least for me — to know what you’re capable of when you’ve been pigeonholed into something.

"Sometimes it takes people that who you love and respect, like Emily and Benny, to say that you can."

The Jumanji actor also admitted that he's 'been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now, until I had this opportunity'.

The Smashing Machine is set to be shown in cinemas on 3 October.

LADbible Group has contacted Dwayne Johnson's reps for comment.