Dwayne Johnson Looks Unrecognizable as the Chicken Man in New ‘Lizard Music’ Set Photos

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
The rock 1
Share:

For two decades, Dwayne Johnson has been one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, consistently attracting audiences to major studio films. His role in ‘Lizard Music‘ marks one of the more unusual and intriguing choices of his career. This fantasy adventure revolves around musical reptiles, an eccentric elderly man, and a very old chicken.

The film brings him back together with director Benny Safdie, who previously directed him in ‘The Smashing Machine’. Safdie earned the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival for that MMA drama, where Johnson portrayed fighter Mark Kerr. Many anticipated they would collaborate on something serious next, rather than a family-friendly fantasy with a heavy CGI component.

Principal photography kicked off on August 3, 2026, at Trilith Studios in Georgia, with additional filming slated for New York and Hawaii. Recently, Johnson was spotted filming in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on October 20, 2026, and his appearance is strikingly different from his usual look.

At 54, Johnson takes on the role of an eccentric older man known as the Chicken Man, showcasing a look that is a complete departure from his typical physique. In the set photos, he sports wispy gray hair, a bushy mustache, a tan bucket hat, a beige coat, a colorful tie, and baggy pants. He is also seen holding a slice of pizza while walking alongside his young co-star, Theo Clark Leber, who carries a large green lizard plush.

This transformation was crafted by Kazu Hiro, who also transformed Tom Cruise into a geriatric oil baron for ‘Digger’. Johnson has mentioned that the role requires about five hours of prosthetic makeup each day. This marks another significant makeover following ‘The Smashing Machine’, which also involved extensive prosthetics.

The film is set to premiere on Christmas Day 2027, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios. This release date is later than some initial reports indicated, allowing ample time for visual effects in this live-action/CGI hybrid. Johnson is also producing the film alongside Safdie, Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, and David Koplan.

The film adapts Daniel Pinkwater’s beloved 1976 children’s novel of the same name. According to the official logline, a boy left to his own devices discovers a secret late-night broadcast featuring lizards playing otherworldly music. This leads him to the Chicken Man and his cherished companion, a chicken named Claudia.

Together, they embark on an adventure that begins as a quest for a hidden society and evolves into a journey through invisible worlds and unexpected harmonies. Johnson’s character is portrayed as a 70-year-old man, while the chicken is depicted as 111 years old. This whimsical premise adds to the intrigue of the casting.

The supporting cast is impressive, featuring Regina Hall, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, Andrew Dice Clay, and Arya Parvathi, with Rachel McAdams and Colman Domingo also rumored to be involved. This eclectic ensemble suggests that Safdie aims to create something distinctive rather than a conventional family film.

This project holds personal significance for those involved. Safdie has shared that he read Pinkwater’s book to his two sons, while Johnson revealed that it took just about 45 minutes of persuasion from Safdie for him to agree to the role. Amazon MGM’s film chief described the story as timeless and unique, praising the duo’s previous collaborations.

For Johnson, this role signifies a broader shift in his career. After years of starring in action blockbusters, he is now embracing prosthetics and weight loss to fully inhabit his characters. ‘Lizard Music’ continues this trend, and the recent photos from Brooklyn provide a vivid glimpse into how far he is willing to go.

Filming was expected to conclude on October 21, 2026, according to production tracking, meaning the cameras are nearly finished rolling. While we have yet to see the lizards, the chicken, or any footage, the first trailer will be a significant moment. For now, Johnson’s new look has certainly sparked conversation.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!

Share: