Amazon MGM acquires Lizard Music with Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie

Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie

Dwayne Johnson is gearing up for one of the most whimsical roles of his career — and it’s a far cry from his usual larger-than-life action hero image. In his next big-screen collaboration with filmmaker Benny Safdie, Johnson will take on the role of “Chicken Man” in Lizard Music, a surreal and imaginative adventure based on the beloved novel by Daniel Pinkwater.

In what industry insiders describe as a hotly contested acquisition, Amazon MGM Studios’ United Artists, along with veteran producer Scott Stuber, secured the rights to the project.

Safdie will direct and write the screenplay, drawing inspiration from Pinkwater’s offbeat and timeless tale.

Producing the film are Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for UA, Safdie for Out for the Count Productions, Johnson via Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan representing Magnetic Fields Entertainment.

Lizard Music follows the story of a curious young boy who stumbles upon a mysterious, late-night TV broadcast featuring lizards performing music.

He meets an eccentric elderly man named Chicken Man (played by Johnson) and his devoted 111-year-old chicken companion, Claudia, on his quest to discover the truth. They set out on a journey together into a secret, fantastical society full of amazing things.

Following their recent work on The Smashing Machine, in which Johnson received critical acclaim for his portrayal of UFC legend Mark Kerr, this is the second time that he and Safdie have collaborated.

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While the film didn’t make a huge splash at the box office earlier this month, it remains in the awards conversation and marked Safdie’s debut as a solo director, following his celebrated co-directing efforts on Uncut Gems and Good Time with brother Josh Safdie.

At the Toronto International Film Festival, Johnson shared how the idea for Lizard Music came about. After Safdie delivered a passionate 45-minute pitch, Johnson simply replied, “I’m your Chicken Man.”

Amazon MGM’s Courtenay Valenti called the duo’s reunion “thrilling,” praising their shared vision. Safdie, in turn, expressed heartfelt excitement: “Lizard Music is a book I read to my two sons… to go on this adventure with Dwayne… is just beyond… I can’t wait!”