Rare Sighting of the Rock With Hair

Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson took drastic measures to transform into his latest role: He went from bald to un-bald. In the first-look image from A24’s The Smashing Machine, a Benny Safdie–directed biopic about MMA fighter Mark Kerr, the lead actor looks unrecognizable with all of those full follicles that trace his hairline and end in a partial sideburn. The makeup department appears to have added prosthetics to alter the shape of his face, enhancing the overall makeover. “Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting,” the Rock told Variety in January, likely referring to the latent powers of a lace front. “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.” While the film, co-starring Emily Blunt, is still in production and awaits a confirmed release date, another rare sighting of the Rock in a wig should come when live-action Moana arrives next year.

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