Dwayne Johnson and filmmaker Benny Safdie are teaming up again for Lizard Music, a surreal and heartfelt fantasy adventure based on Daniel Pinkwater’s 1980 cult novel of the same name. The film has officially landed at Amazon MGM Studios’ United Artists, after a competitive bidding war that drew major industry attention.
A Hidden World of Lizard Music
The story centers on a young boy who accidentally stumbles upon a mysterious late-night TV broadcast of lizards performing otherworldly music. His search for the source leads him to the eccentric Chicken Man — a 70-year-old wanderer played by Johnson — and his inseparable companion, Claudia, a 111-year-old chicken.
Together, they embark on a journey that begins as a quest to uncover a secret society but soon transforms into something far more profound: a voyage through invisible worlds, unexpected harmonies, and the deep connection between two lost souls who find magic not only in discovery, but in each other.
Benny Safdie’s Vision: From Grit to Wonder
Known for his intense, character-driven dramas, Benny Safdie takes a bold creative turn with Lizard Music, writing and directing a story rooted in whimsy and imagination.
Safdie revealed that his inspiration came from reading Daniel Pinkwater’s book with his sons. “We were riveted by its imagination and wonder,” he shared. “The idea of making a film where everyone can join the conversation is both thrilling and beautiful. To go on this adventure with Dwayne and watch him become the Chicken Man is just beyond.”
For Safdie, the film marks a departure from the realism of his earlier work, embracing the surreal warmth of Pinkwater’s world while retaining the emotional depth that defines his storytelling.
Dwayne Johnson’s Transformation as ‘Chicken Man’
After years of larger-than-life action roles, Dwayne Johnson’s turn as Chicken Man signals a daring new phase in his career. The actor has physically transformed for the part, shedding weight and adopting what he calls a “Clint Eastwood at 75” look — lean, weathered, and quietly powerful.
At recent press events, Johnson described the role as “one of the most whimsical and soulful characters I’ve ever played.” His Chicken Man is a symbol of eccentric wisdom and loneliness, a man whose only constant companion — a century-old chicken named Claudia — anchors his odd but endearing existence.
The Team Behind the Magic
Lizard Music is being produced by a powerhouse lineup: Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt for United Artists, Benny Safdie for Out for the Count Productions, Dwayne Johnson for Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan for Magnetic Fields Entertainment.
Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film, Streaming and Theatrical at Amazon MGM, expressed her excitement:
“We are so thrilled to partner once again with Dwayne Johnson, as well as work for the first time with the amazing creator, writer, and director Benny Safdie, on ‘Lizard Music.’ It’s an imaginative and cinematic story that feels both timeless and unique.”
Producer Scott Stuber echoed the enthusiasm, noting, “The world they’ve created together is unlike anything either has done before. We couldn’t be more excited to bring this wonderfully imaginative story to life.”
A New Chapter After ‘The Smashing Machine’
The announcement arrives soon after the release of The Smashing Machine, Safdie and Johnson’s previous collaboration. While that film drew critical praise for Johnson’s dramatic performance, it struggled commercially — a reminder of the risks involved in blending arthouse sensibilities with mainstream storytelling.
With Lizard Music, the duo seems to be embracing a more accessible form of creativity — one that combines Safdie’s visionary direction with Johnson’s charisma, but within a fantastical framework that invites a wider audience.
Looking Ahead
No release date has been announced yet, but expectations are high. For Johnson, Lizard Music represents an artistic reinvention — the kind of unexpected turn that could redefine his on-screen legacy. For Safdie, it’s a chance to channel his filmmaking intensity into something gentler, stranger, and more universal.
If their first collaboration proved that the pair could deliver emotional depth, Lizard Music may show they can deliver pure cinematic magic.
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