Actor Dwayne Johnson has confirmed a surprising new role in the upcoming film “Lizard Music,” requiring a dramatic and unconventional physical transformation that is generating significant industry and fan discussion. Johnson, known primarily for his action-hero physique, will embody the character of “Chicken Man,” a whimsical and eccentric septuagenarian in a departure from his prior film work.
A Radical Departure for a Hollywood Mainstay
Dwayne Johnson, notable for roles demanding supreme athleticism and commanding physical stature, revealed that his current weight loss is not linked to health issues or standard casting requirements. Instead, Johnson is slimming down to portray Chicken Man, a unique character in director Benny Safdie’s adaptation of the 2011 novel “Lizard Music” by Daniel Pinkwater.
Inside the Role of Chicken Man
The part of Chicken Man diverges sharply from Johnson’s mainstream image. Described as a “whimsical, eccentric 70-something year-old,” the role demands not only an adjustment in Johnson’s physical appearance but also a significant shift in acting approach. Johnson expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, indicating that the director’s pitch convinced him to pursue the challenge immediately after their work together on “The Smashing Machine.”
Commitment to Transformation
Johnson discussed the transformation process during the Venice Film Festival, pointing to ongoing adjustments in diet and presentation to achieve the character’s look and mannerisms. The actor quipped that the role will require “eating less chicken” and admits there is still much work ahead before filming begins. This ongoing process echoes Johnson’s commitment to authenticity and versatility as he continues to expand his repertoire.
About Lizard Music
Lizard Music is a beloved children’s fantasy novel written and illustrated by Daniel Pinkwater, first published in 1976. The story follows eleven-year-old Victor from McDonaldsville, who finds himself home alone when his parents go on vacation and his teenage sister Leslie abandons her babysitting duties to go camping with her hippie friends.
Victor’s solitary adventure begins when he starts staying up late watching television and discovers something extraordinary: after the late-night movies end, a mysterious program appears featuring walking, talking lizards performing jazz music. These aren’t people in costumes—they’re actual lizards dressed in suits, playing in a five-piece band.
Victor’s investigation leads him to meet an enigmatic character known as the Chicken Man, who carries a live chicken named Claudia under his hat and seems to have a different name every time Victor encounters him. The Chicken Man becomes Victor’s guide to understanding the lizard mystery, eventually taking him on a journey to Invisible Island on Lake Mishagoo.
Invisible Island is a floating landmass that bends light to remain hidden from view, accessible only with Claudia’s uncanny directional abilities. The island is populated by lizards who are all named Reynold and who have been watching human television while broadcasting their own shows. The lizards believe in a prophecy involving a special egg and the arrival of visitors who will help them combat “pod people”—described as thoughtless humans with poor judgment who mindlessly follow fads.
Readers describe Lizard Music as simultaneously creepy and charming, with many noting how it “freaked them out” as children while remaining utterly engaging.
