Could The Rock Get An Oscar? Dwayne Johnson's Tearful Venice Triumph
THE ROCK TELLS ALL: FROM WRESTLING TO OSCARS, DWAYNE JOHNSON OPENS UP ABOUT HIS JOURNEY
In a shocking turn of events, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson burst into tears on Tuesday night as his highly-anticipated film, The Smashing Machine, received a record-breaking 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. The 53-year-old former WWE star's emotional response was met with applause from the audience and praise for his raw, intense performance in the biographical movie.
The Rock stars alongside Emily Blunt in the film, which tells the story of Mark Kerr, a former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter who struggled with substance abuse and domestic drama. The film has sparked Oscar buzz, with many predicting that Dwayne will finally receive recognition from the Academy for his acting prowess.
But what's behind The Rock's dramatic weight loss? Sources close to the actor reveal that he shed an astonishing 60lbs to get into character, sparking rumors that he may have used celebrity favorite weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. "Dwayne has always been known for pushing himself to new heights," a source says. "But this transformation was something he was really hungry to do. He wanted to prove to himself that he could go deep and intense, raw and real."
In an exclusive interview with thescholarlynote.com, The Rock opens up about his journey from wrestling to Hollywood stardom. "When you're in Hollywood, it's easy to get caught up in chasing box office numbers," he reveals. "But for me, this film was about proving something to myself. I've been fortunate enough to have had a successful career, but I wanted to tap into the stuff that I've experienced in the past and finally put all my emotions on the line."
The Rock's journey to becoming one of Hollywood's biggest stars has not been without its challenges. Growing up, he was raised by his mother, Ata Johnson, who struggled with addiction and financial issues. "My dad was homeless at 13," The Rock reveals, "so his capability for love was very limited. That's the man that raised me – tough love."
Despite his tough upbringing, The Rock has never lost sight of his passion for acting. After beginning his career on television while wrestling, he made his breakthrough in Hollywood with films like Jumanji and Moana. But now, he's aiming for something bigger than just box office numbers.
"I've been pigeonholed as the action hero," The Rock admits. "But I want to be taken seriously as an actor. I want to make movies that mean something, not just entertain the masses."
The Smashing Machine marks a significant departure from Dwayne's typical action-packed films, and fans are eager to see him tackle more dramatic roles in the future.
As for his co-star Emily Blunt, sources reveal that she was blown away by The Rock's performance. "Dwayne is an incredibly talented actor," she says. "He brought so much depth and emotion to the film. I'm honored to have shared the screen with him."
The real Mark Kerr was in attendance at the Venice press conference, where Dwayne asked him to stand up and receive applause from the audience. "Mark's life has changed our lives," The Rock says, "and certainly changed my life as well. This film is about what happens when winning becomes the enemy – it's not just about the wins or losses."
With his Oscar hopes high, The Rock is more determined than ever to prove himself as a serious actor. And based on his incredible performance in The Smashing Machine, fans are eagerly anticipating his next move.
The question on everyone's mind: will Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson finally take home an Oscar? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – he's certainly cooking up something big with this latest role.