Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie's 'Lizard Music' to Premiere Holiday 2027
Entertainment

Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie's 'Lizard Music' to Premiere Holiday 2027

authorBy Roger Ebert
DateOct 20, 2026
Read Time2 min

Amazon MGM Studios has announced that "Lizard Music," a unique blend of live-action and CGI, will arrive in theaters on December 25, 2027. This much-anticipated film features Dwayne Johnson in a leading role, supported by a diverse cast including Theo Clark Leber, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, Arya Parvathi, Regina Hall, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, Rachel McAdams, Andrew Dice Clay, and David Krumholtz. The project is directed by Benny Safdie, who also penned the screenplay based on Daniel Pinkwater's beloved novel of the same name. Production efforts are led by Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists, Safdie for Out for the Count Productions, Johnson for Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan for Magnetic Fields Entertainment.

The narrative of "Lizard Music" centers on a young boy who stumbles upon an enigmatic late-night television broadcast featuring musical lizards. Driven by curiosity, he embarks on an extraordinary quest for the truth, eventually encountering the eccentric septuagenarian known as Chicken Man, portrayed by Johnson, and his centenarian chicken companion, Claudia. Together, this unlikely trio ventures into an adventure to explore a hidden society, promising audiences a fantastical and heartwarming journey.

This film marks a renewed collaboration between Johnson and Safdie, following their successful work on last year's "The Smashing Machine." Johnson garnered critical praise for his portrayal of UFC Hall of Famer Mark Kerr in the A24 release, which signified Safdie's first solo directorial endeavor after previously co-directing projects like "Good Time" and "Uncut Gems" with his brother, Josh Safdie. The 2027 holiday season is also slated to see the release of other major films, including Ron Howard's "Alone at Dawn," starring Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver, and Nancy Meyers' comedy "Paris Paramount," featuring Penélope Cruz, Kieran Culkin, Jude Law, and Owen Wilson, from Warner Bros., setting the stage for a competitive box office period.

The upcoming release of "Lizard Music" highlights the power of creative partnerships and the timeless appeal of imaginative storytelling. By bringing together established talent and a whimsical narrative, the film is set to offer a unique cinematic experience that will inspire wonder and encourage audiences to embrace the magic of discovery.

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