Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson sobs over 15-minute…
The Rock has a mushy spot after all.
Dwayne Johnson, 53, was introduced to tears on Monday night time after his latest film, “The Smashing Machine,” acquired a 15-minute standing ovation and sparked Oscar buzz following its premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, per Variety.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at the Venice Film Festival premiere of “The Smashing Machine” on Monday, Sept. 1. Anna Maria Tinghino / SplashNews.com
Johnson and Emily Blunt at the Venice Film Festival premiere of “The Smashing Machine” on Monday, Sept. 1. BACKGRID
The movie, directed by Bennie Safdie and starring Johnson as former newbie wrestler-turned-MMA fighter Mark Kerr, reportedly acquired one of the longest ovations yet since this yr’s worldwide movie fest kicked off on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
According to the outlet, Safdie, 39, hugged both Johnson and Emily Blunt amid the applause while shedding tears of his own. Blunt co-stars in the upcoming flick as Kerr’s now-ex-wife, Dawn Staples.
But the “Mummy” star and “Uncut Gems” director weren’t alone in their sobs of pleasure, because Kerr, who made a particular look at the movie’s premiere on the Lido, was also caught tearing up as the credit rolled and the viewers stood in acknowledgement.
Johnson at the Venice Film Festival premiere of “The Smashing Machine” on Monday, Sept. 1. Simone Comi/ipa-agency.internet/Shutterstock
Mark Kerr and Johnson attend the Venice Film Festival premiere of “The Smashing Machine” on Monday, Sept. 1. WireImage
Johnson, meanwhile, was said to be in good spirits even before “The Smashing Machine” hit the Venice Film Festival screen.
After the “Fast & Furious” star arrived on the crimson carpet with Blunt, 42, he reportedly signed autographs and posed for selfies with excited followers.
One fan, who has seemingly adopted the Rock since his days as a skilled wrestler, shouted out Johnson’s signature WWE catchphrase shortly before the screening formally kicked off.
Johnson at the Venice premiere of “The Smashing Machine” on Monday, Sept. 1. Rocco Spaziani/UPI/Shutterstock
“Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?!” the individual screamed.
However, Johnson made headlines even before “The Smashing Machine” acquired an spectacular 15-minute ovation, because he arrived at the event with a new, slimmed-down physique.
The “Jumanji” star’s weight and muscle loss got here as a shock to many, and followers on social media have began to call him “The Pebble” in the wake of his surprising physique transformation.
Johnson arrives at the press convention for “The Smashing Machine” during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Monday, Sept. 1. Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
“Damn, he’s half of what he was!” one individual wrote after Johnson’s new physique went viral.
“Wow nice transformation,” another wrote.
Earlier on Monday, during the movie’s press convention, Johnson opened up about his determination to staff up with Safdie to painting Kerr in “The Smashing Machine.”
Emily Blunt and Johnson at the Venice Film Festival on Monday, Sept. 1. WireImage
Emily Blunt and Johnson at the Venice premiere of “The Smashing Machine” on Monday, Sept. 1. Simone Comi/ipa-agency.internet/Shutterstock
“When you’re in Hollywood – as we all know, it had become about box office,” he started. “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.”
“I just had this burning desire and voice that was saying, ‘What if there is more and what if I can?’” Johnson continued. “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.”
Johnson then thanked Safdie and Blunt for serving to him understand his “dream” of portraying Kerr on the big screen.
“Sometimes it takes people who you love and respect, like Emily and Benny, to say that you can,” he said. “I’ve been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now, until I had this opportunity.”
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