Dwayne Johnson has been on a remarkable career journey, steadily transitioning from action star to serious actor, although his next project will be quite bizarre. Known for his larger-than-life roles in blockbusters like Fast & Furious and Jumanji, Johnson has been taking on more diverse, dramatic projects, demonstrating his depth and range in projects like The Smashing Machine.

Now, in an exclusive from ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Dwayne Johnson will be reteaming with Benny Safdie after their success with The Smashing Machine, in a movie adaptation of Lizard Music. The upcoming film will adapt Daniel Pinkwater’s 1976 novel about a boy who discovers a late-night broadcast of lizards playing music, which leads him into an unseen world of magic and mysteries.

The whimsical adventure promises a surreal and magical journey through hidden worlds and extraordinary bonds, with Safdie as director and Johnson as the eccentric companion, Chicken Man. Producers include Safdie for Down for the Count Productions, Johnson for Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan, who also produced The Smashing Machine. According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Lizard Music will be shopped imminently.

What This Casting Means For Dwayne Johnson

Lizard Music represents a pivotal moment in Dwayne Johnson’s career, marking a departure from his typical action-heavy roles toward something more experimental. By teaming up once again with Benny Safdie, whose recent work received himself and Johnson a standing ovation and won Safdie a Silver Lion at Venice, Lizard Music showcases considerable promise, with the project already sparking excitement.

Lizard Music will certainly attract a different demographic than Johnson’s usual fans, showcasing something that a lot of audiences haven’t seen from him in previous action-comedy blockbuster roles. This ongoing shift showcases Johnson’s willingness for more diverse and challenging roles beyond his comfort zone, and the collaboration with Benny Safdie could represent another opportunity to expand the director’s voice.

Our Take On Dwayne Johnson’s Lizard Music Casting

This is a bold move for Dwayne Johnson, as Lizard Music will require a very unique, layered character that contrasts sharply with the larger-than-life action heroes he’s best known for. It’s rare for stars with Johnson’s pedigree to take such risks, but Lizard Music could surprise audiences who may not have considered Johnson’s range beyond his usual tough-guy roles.

Safdie’s recent film was also a risk for Johnson, showcasing his first dramatic role, and it certainly paid off if The Smashing Machine’s standing ovation was anything to go by. Consequently, Safdie’s continuing partnership with Johnson in his next project could potentially spell success, especially as he is known for his intimate, character-driven films like Good Time and Uncut Gems.

If done right, Lizard Music could cement Dwayne Johnson as a serious actor and its nostalgic factor could transform it into a hit. Safdie’s touch could bring a sense of surreal realism, making Lizard Music an unexpectedly deep exploration of human connection within an absurd, magical world. Therefore, Lizard Music is certainly an interesting project to watch out for.