Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson To Star In ‘Lizard Music’ Movie Adaptation

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will reunite with writer-director Benny Safdie for a film adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater’s 1976 novel Lizard Music.

The novel centers on a young boy named Victor who discovers a late-night broadcast of a band of lizards playing music. Safdie will both adapt and direct the screenplay, while Johnson will play the character of Chicken Man, who in the novel, helps Victor track down the lizards and takes him on a journey to Thunderbolt City.

The news comes fresh off headlines about Johnson’s remarkable, slimmed-down physique at the Venice premiere of the A24 sports-drama The Smashing Machine, which earned Safdie the Silver Lion for Best Director and saw Johnson, alongside Emily Blunt, receive acclaim for their performances and a 15-minute standing ovation.

For Johnson, the shift marks a move away from his recent box office flops, including Black Adam and Red One, and lukewarm receptions for tentpole films like Jungle Cruise, Moana 2, and Red Notice.

The WWE legend, once best known for his larger-than-life charisma and family-friendly action-adventure films, is now pursuing more serious and transformative roles, following what appears to be an Oscar-contending performance in The Smashing Machine.

The project is currently being shopped to various studios and potential distributors. However, no public release date has been announced yet.

Ralph Regis

Lifestyle and Culture Writer

Ralph Regis is a Lifestyle and Culture Writer at Billboard Philippines, where he bridges the worlds of film, television, fashion, art, food, and cultural trends with both the local and international music scene.

He has written extensively about artist collaborations, brand partnerships, and pop culture moments that connect back to music. He also brings stories to life through in-depth interviews with musicians and personalities, drawing on their diverse perspectives, opinions, and reflections on the human condition.

In addition, Ralph also writes about music releases across a wide range of genres, including pop, hip-hop, P-pop, and rock, highlighting both rising and established artists. With a passion for storytelling that goes beyond trends, he explores how music is part of our daily lives in one form or another, connecting culture, experiences, and everything in between.

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