We've Never Seen Dwayne Johnson Like This Before. The Actor Will Play Chicken Man in New Film from the Creator of "The Smashing Machine"

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Following the massive success of "The Smashing Machine," Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie are teaming up once again.

Their new project, according to Deadline, is an adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater's book "Lizard Music." And the most intriguing part of this story? Johnson's role. The actor we're used to seeing as fighters and superheroes will take on perhaps the strangest role of his career — the Chicken Man.

What the film will be about

The plot follows a boy who accidentally discovers a mysterious broadcast: lizards playing enigmatic music. This opens a door to an unusual world where he meets the Chicken Man ( ) and his faithful companion — a 70-year-old chicken named Claudia.
Actor Dwayne Johnson in an orange vest sits against a backdrop of prison cells
Dwayne Johnson
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Together, they embark on a journey that starts as a search for a secret society but transforms into an exploration of invisible worlds, magic, and most importantly, friendship between lost souls.

All the key facts

  • Director: Benny Safdie, who won the Silver Lion in Venice for "The Smashing Machine." Creator of "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time"
  • Dwayne Johnson will serve not only as the Chicken Man but also as producer. His company "Seven Bucks Productions" will handle filming
  • Release date: not yet announced, but the project is already in development and actively being discussed in Hollywood markets
  • Title: the film, according to preliminary data, will be a same-titled adaptation of the novel

What to expect from the film

After "The Smashing Machine," people started viewing Johnson as a serious dramatic actor, not just The Rock saving the world in blockbusters. His new role generates interest precisely because it's a risk — stepping away from his usual persona to play an eccentric character.

This film promises to be not just weird, but weird with a capital W. Safdie is collecting awards for the successful "The Smashing Machine," and Johnson is in the best form of his career. So what lies ahead might be the most unusual and unexpected project in either of their filmographies. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com detailed how critics received Johnson's new drama, where he played an MMA fighter.