Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie‘s next collaboration, a movie titled “Lizard Music” — which sees Johnson as a 70-year-old called “Chicken Man” with a 111-year-old chicken named Claudia as his closest companion — has landed at Amazon MGM Studios’ United Artists.
Safdie is directing and wrote the script, based on the Daniel Pinkwater novel of the same name. UA and Scott Stuber landed the hot project in a competitive situation.
“We are so thrilled to partner once again with extraordinarily talented Dwayne Johnson, as well as work for the first time with the amazing creator, writer and director Benny Safdie, on ‘Lizard Music,’” stated Courtenay Valenti, head of film, streaming and theatrical for Amazon MGM. “Everyone at Amazon MGM and UA is deeply inspired by their previous collaboration on the critically acclaimed ‘The Smashing Machine.’ We are so excited to now collaborate with them on this imaginative, entertaining and cinematic story; ‘Lizard Music’ is a tale that feels both timeless and unique. We are very fortunate that they have trusted us to be their studio partners.”
The film will follow a boy opens a “hidden door to the extraordinary” when he “stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music,” an early synopsis explains. “His search for answers leads him to the eccentric and whimsical septuagenarian Chicken Man, and his beloved companion, a 111-year-old chicken named Claudia — two kindred spirits who found each other at just the right time. United by this shared vision, they set off on an adventure that begins as a hunt for a hidden society but blossoms into something far greater: a voyage through invisible worlds, unexpected harmonies and the unbreakable bond between lost souls who discover magic not only in what they find, but in each other.”
In his statement, Safdie shared that he’d read Pinkwater’s “Lizard Music” to his two sons. “We were riveted by its imagination and wonder,” the filmmaker said. “I love Daniel Pinkwater as a person and an author; the idea of making a movie where everyone can join the conversation is both thrilling and beautiful. To go on this adventure with Dwayne and to be able to watch him transform and become the Chicken Man is just beyond… I can’t wait!”
Stuber will produce the film alongside UA’s Nick Nesbitt, Safdie (for his Out for the Count Productions), Johnson (for his Seven Bucks Productions) and Magnetic Fields Entertainment’s David Koplan.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with Dwayne and Benny on multiple projects and have seen firsthand their incredible talents and connection as artists,” Stuber said. “The world they’ve created together for ‘Lizard Music’ is unlike anything either has done before, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this wonderfully imaginative story to life.”
News of the forthcoming project broke amid Johnson and Safie’s press tour for “The Smashing Machine,” as the wrestler-turned-actor appeared noticeably thinner on the red carpet. (He’d packed on 30 lbs to play MMA fighter Mark Kerr for that film and delivered a performance which is garnering Oscar buzz.) In interviews, including with Variety’s Marc Malkin, Johnson explained that his fluctuating appearance was preparation for his next movie.
“I’ve been dieting,” Johnson said at the film’s Los Angeles premiere. “Happy to not be carrying all the weight. I’m able to tuck in my shirt now…I don’t look pregnant so it’s all good.” About the character’s final look, he added: “Think Clint Eastwood at 75. Sinewy muscles, he’s lean.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source variety.com ’
