Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is once again making headlines — not for his muscles, but for shedding them. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Johnson revealed he has lost nearly 14 kilograms (30 pounds) for his next film, Lizard Music, directed by Benny Safdie.
Becoming ‘Chicken Man’
In a surprising shift from his usual action-hero roles, Johnson will play a “whimsical, eccentric 70-something-year-old” named Chicken Man in the upcoming film. Based on Daniel Pinkwater’s cult novel, Lizard Music tells the surreal story of a lonely septuagenarian whose closest companion is a chicken.
“Benny pitched me this, and after 45 minutes I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man,’” Johnson shared. Known for blockbusters like Fast & Furious and Jumanji, he joked that the physical prep for the film “means eating less chicken.”
Shifting Gears as an Actor
Lizard Music marks Johnson’s second collaboration with Safdie after the upcoming The Smashing Machine, where he plays troubled MMA legend Mark Kerr. The gritty sports drama has already generated Oscar buzz for Johnson’s intense and emotionally raw performance.
“I felt for a few years that I was pigeonholed because I allowed it to happen,” Johnson confessed. “Smashing Machine is for me.” His recent choices reflect a conscious move toward more vulnerable and unconventional roles.
Blockbusters Still in the Mix
Despite these bold new directions, Johnson hasn’t turned his back on franchises. He confirmed that filming for Jumanji 3, alongside Kevin Hart, will kick off in November.
With Lizard Music and The Smashing Machine, Johnson is proving he’s not just Hollywood’s muscle man — he’s an actor embracing growth, risk, and reinvention.