Dwayne Johnson, Benny Safdie Reunite for Lizard Music Adaptation

Following their critical success with "The Smashing Machine," which earned Benny Safdie the Silver Lion for Best Director at Venice and featured a transformative performance by Dwayne Johnson, the duo are reuniting for a new project, "Lizard Music." Adapted from Daniel Pinkwater's novel, the film will see Johnson in the eccentric role of the Chicken Man, and follows a young boy's discovery of a secret broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music that leads to a magical adventure with the Chicken Man and his 70-year-old chicken, Claudia. Safdie will adapt and direct, with production by Safdie's Down For The Count Productions, Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan. This project represents Johnson's ongoing effort to break from his typical blockbuster roles and embrace more challenging, character-driven work. The package is being shopped to studios shortly, with anticipation that A24, distributor of "The Smashing Machine," may be interested. The collaboration marks a significant evolution in Johnson's career, positioning him as a critically acclaimed dramatic actor beyond his wrestling and action star persona.