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Dwayne Johnson's biographical drama "The Smashing Machine," his first collaboration with "Uncut Gems" co-director Benny Safdie, recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim. The successful partnership has already led to plans for their next project together.
Deadline exclusively reported that Johnson is set to star in Safdie's next film, "Lizard Music." Unlike the dramatic "The Smashing Machine," this new project will be a children's fantasy film with a strong musical element.
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"Lizard Music" is an adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater's 1976 young adult novel of the same name. The story follows a boy who, while alone one night, stumbles upon a secret late-night radio broadcast featuring lizards playing otherworldly music, opening a portal to a strange new world. In his quest for answers, he encounters an eccentric chicken farmer and his beloved 70-year-old hen, Claudia—two kindred spirits who have also witnessed inexplicable phenomena.
Guided by a shared vision, the trio embarks on an adventure. What begins as a search for a hidden underground society ultimately evolves into a grander quest: a journey through invisible worlds, an unexpected and harmonious friendship, and the discovery of unbreakable bonds between lost souls, found not only in what they uncover but also within each other.
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Beyond the critical acclaim for "The Smashing Machine," Johnson's recent significant weight loss has become a major talking point. Many speculated about potential health issues or an underlying heart condition preventing him from maintaining his usual muscular physique. However, Johnson, while promoting "The Smashing Machine" at the Toronto Film Festival, clarified that his dramatic weight reduction is solely in preparation for his role as the 70-year-old chicken farmer in "Lizard Music." He added that his current physique is not even his leanest target, indicating he plans to lose more weight.
Furthermore, Johnson announced that the fourth installment of "Jumanji," which was previously slated for a Christmas 2026 release on December 11, will officially begin production this November.
via： Deadline