Dwayne Johnson Returns to the Big Screen with Benny Safdie in ‘Lizard Music’

The Hollywood A-lister, known for his versatility and willingness to take on challenging roles, has begun production on his latest project, ‘Lizard Music,’ directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie.

In an exclusive interview with Deadline at the D23 event, Johnson revealed the details of his upcoming role in the film, describing it as ‘Willy Wonka’ from the mind of Safdie. He also spoke about the intense makeup process involved in transforming into a septuagenarian for the role.

Johnson, who has worked with Safdie before on ‘The Smashing Machine,’ plays the lead role of the Chicken Man in ‘Lizard Music,’ a film based on Daniel Pinkwater’s novel. The story revolves around a young boy who discovers an island of sentient lizards that play music and have broadcast television. The boy teams up with the Chicken Man and goes on an adventure to find the land of the lizards.

‘Lizard Music’ is written and directed by Safdie, who has been praised for his unique storytelling style and ability to elicit powerful performances from his actors. The film is produced by United Artists, which acquired the package deal last October.

Johnson, who is known for his physical transformations in films like ‘The Smashing Machine,’ undergoes a five-hour makeup process every day to play the role of the septuagenarian. He is working with the legendary Kazu Hiro, who was nominated for an Oscar for his work on ‘The Smashing Machine.’

Johnson expressed his excitement about working with Safdie again, calling him ‘one of my best friends and most embraced collaborators.’ He also spoke about the challenges involved in taking on the role, saying, ‘This is that thing I was telling the kids, ‘Run towards that thing.’ This is that thing that I ran towards and chased the challenge.’

The film is expected to be a thrilling adventure, with stunning visuals and an engaging storyline. With Johnson’s versatility and Safdie’s unique storytelling style, ‘Lizard Music’ is sure to be a must-watch for fans of the film industry.