Known globally for his larger-than-life action roles, Johnson is taking a significant departure from his usual persona. The new images from the Brooklyn set show the actor meticulously made up to portray an elderly man, complete with a tan bucket hat and coat, walking alongside young co-star Theo Clark Leber. This marks another bold move following his previous collaboration with Safdie on the upcoming 2025 film, "The Smashing Machine," where he portrays MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
The intricate prosthetic work for Johnson's transformation into the "Chicken Man" is handled by Kazu Hiro, a renowned artist who recently transformed Tom Cruise for the film "Digger." This dedication to character-driven roles underscores a new phase in Johnson's career, prioritizing challenging performances over pure spectacle.
"Lizard Music" is an adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater's beloved children's book. The official logline teases a whimsical adventure: a young boy "stumbles upon strange lizard musicians on late-night TV, leading him to befriend a peculiar man with an elderly chicken." The film, from Amazon MGM Studios, is slated for a Christmas Day 2027 release.
Johnson's commitment to the role extends beyond prosthetics. He revealed at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival that he shed 30 pounds of muscle to embody the character. He expressed his excitement for the creative challenge, stating, "I’m so excited to get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in ‘Smashing Machine’... [It means] eating less chicken.” His decision to join the project was quick, reportedly taking only about 45 minutes of convincing from Safdie.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast alongside Johnson and Leber, including Rachel McAdams, Colman Domingo, David Krumholtz, Jeff Goldblum, Alicia Silverstone, and Regina Hall, promising a rich and diverse cinematic experience. The set photos, taken on October 20, 2026, in Coney Island, Brooklyn, offer a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be one of Johnson's most unexpected and transformative performances yet.
