Dwyane Johnson has taken on a lot of characters in his time, but he’s never looked quite as different as he does in his new movie.
Yes, I know he was a cartoon in Moana, but I’d bet a few people were still able to make the link to Maui’s huge stature and some of his tattoos.
Johnson is usually recognised by his bald head and tattoos. (David Becker/WireImage)
By contrast, you might struggle to identify Johnson in his new role in an upcoming drama movie co-starring Emily Blunt and Lyndsey Gavin.
The former WWE star is set to take on the role of UFC champion Mark Kerr in the movie, and although it’s not set to be released until next year, a first-look image shows Johnson in character as the MMA star.
In the image, Johnson can be seen in a familiar setting – sitting at the side of a ring.
A woman’s legs can be seen on the canvas in the foreground of the image, while Johnson is seated on a stool behind her, looking tired as two other men talk to him.
Johnson plays Mark Kerr in the upcoming movie. (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
However, I wouldn’t blame you if you had to do a double take to identify Johnson.
Gone are the recognizable tattoos across one side of his chest and shoulder, and gone is his shiny bald head.
Sure, you might have seen Johnson with hair before – if you’ve ever seen the iconic turtle neck and fanny pack meme, then you’ll know exactly what he looks like with hair.
But his new, dark locks, which are presumably a wig, give him a whole new look, and it’s left fans in shock.
Take a look for yourself below:
The Rock looks entirely different in character. (A24)
“You can’t judge much by a still but, man-Dwayne is unrecognizable & does look like Mark Kerr,” one X user wrote after seeing the image.
Another commented: “Actually had to do a double take!”
Film critic Courtney Howard agreed that Johnson looks like ‘an entirely different person’ in the image, adding that the prosthetic makeup design for the movie is being done by Kazu Hiro, who has previously won Oscars for his work on The Darkest Hour and Bombshell.
Titled The Smashing Machine, the movie is being directed by Benny Safdie and has been written co-written by Safdie and Kerr himself.
It will tell the story of the fighter who struggled with addiction as well as experiencing struggles in his marriage, all the while becoming an icon in the fighting world.
Blunt, who also starred alongside Johnson in the movie Jungle Cruise, is set to play Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples.