Dwayne Johnson's 'Lizard Music' Set for 2027 Holiday Release Amid Crowded Slate

Key points

• Amazon MGM Studios has set a December 25, 2027, release date for 'Lizard Music,' a live-action/CGI hybrid film.
• Dwayne Johnson stars as the 'Chicken Man,' a 70-year-old character, requiring extensive prosthetics and a 30-pound muscle loss.
• Benny Safdie directs the film, which is based on Daniel Pinkwater's children's book of the same name.
• The cast includes Theo Clark Leber, Rachel McAdams, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, and Alicia Silverstone.
• The film competes with 'Avengers: Secret Wars' and 'Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' for the holiday box office.

Background

This is Johnson's second collaboration with Safdie, following 'The Smashing Machine' in 2025. The film is produced by Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Safdie, Johnson, and David Koplan. It is part of a broader trend of major studio releases targeting the Christmas holiday period, including Ron Howard's 'Alone at Dawn' and Nancy Meyers' 'Paris Paramount.'

How outlets are covering it

Variety highlights Johnson's physical transformation and the ease with which he accepted the role, noting his previous collaboration with Safdie. The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes the film's hybrid live-action/CGI format and its place in a crowded holiday slate. Deadline focuses on the box office implications, noting the competitive nature of the Christmas 2027 release window. All three outlets agree on the release date and the core cast, but vary in their emphasis on the physical transformation versus the commercial strategy.

Why it matters

The release of 'Lizard Music' signals a continued trend of major studio releases targeting the Christmas holiday period, with a focus on family-friendly content. The film's hybrid live-action/CGI format and Johnson's physical transformation suggest a significant investment in visual effects and performance, which could impact box office performance and critical reception. The competitive nature of the holiday slate also suggests a potential for a crowded and competitive box office environment.

What to watch

The film is expected to be released on December 25, 2027. It will compete with 'Avengers: Secret Wars' and 'Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' for the holiday box office. The film's performance will likely be influenced by the success of other major releases in the same window, as well as the critical reception of Johnson's performance and the film's visual effects.