Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie's "Lizard Music" Secures Amazon MGM as Studio

Dwayne Johnson will team up once again with Benny Safdie for their latest venture, "Lizard Music." Amazon MGM Studios' United Artists will be the home for this exciting new project, adding another feather to their cap. Directed by Safdie, Johnson will embody the character of "Chicken Man," a septuagenarian whose best friend is a 111-year-old chicken named Claudia.

"Lizard Music" is adapted from the novel of the same name penned by Daniel Pinkwater. The film was launched, amidst heavy competition, by United Artists and Scott Stuber. Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM's head of film, streaming, and theatrical, expressed her excitement about collaborating with both Johnson and Safdie. She praised their previous work, "The Smashing Machine," and voiced her anticipation for the upcoming movie.

The storyline follows a boy who chances upon an extraordinary hidden world when he discovers a late-night broadcast of lizards playing ethereal music. He embarks on a journey to find answers, during which he meets Chicken Man and Claudia. Their shared vision evolves their quest into a magical journey about the bonds formed between lost souls.

Safdie shared his deep love for Pinkwater's novel, which he read to his sons, praising its imbued sense of imagination. He expressed eagerness to start the adventure with Johnson and watch him evolve as Chicken Man.

Stuber is set to produce the movie alongside Nick Nesbitt of UA, Safdie's Out for the Count Productions, Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan of Magnetic Fields Entertainment. Stuber spoke highly of Johnson and Safdie's talents and their unique world-building for "Lizard Music."

The announcement came during Johnson and Safdie's press tour for "The Smashing Machine". For this previous movie, Johnson had gained weight to play the role of an MMA fighter, and his subsequent weight loss for "Lizard Music" sparked much attention. Johnson clarified in interviews that this fluctuation was in preparation for his next role as Chicken Man.