Grammy Award-winning British singer-songwriter Raye has officially boarded the creative and cast roster for Benny Safdie’s highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater’s 1976 cult-classic children’s novel, Lizard Music. In addition to securing a voice role within the production, Raye is set to compose an entirely original musical score for the feature film. The project, which represents a major multidisciplinary undertaking for the artist, will blend live-action cinematography with advanced computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring Pinkwater’s surreal literary world to life.
The announcement places Raye at the center of one of the most uniquely cast ensemble pictures currently in development in Hollywood. She joins a massive, star-studded lineup that includes Dwayne Johnson—who is also serving as a producer on the film—Theo Leber, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, Arya Parvathi, Regina Hall, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, Rachel McAdams, David Krumholtz, and Andrew Dice Clay. With a scheduled theatrical release date of December 25, 2027, Lizard Music is already positioning itself as a major holiday box-office tentpole, merging high-concept family-adventure storytelling with the distinct independent-cinema sensibilities of writer-director Benny Safdie.
The Surreal Plot and Literary Roots
Based on Daniel Pinkwater’s whimsical yet eccentric source material, Lizard Music follows the madcap, reality-bending adventures of a young protagonist named Victor (played in the film by Theo Leber). The narrative kicks off when the young boy stumbles upon a late-night television broadcast featuring a group of sophisticated lizards performing otherworldly, unearthly music. Fascinated and determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious broadcast, the boy embarks on an extraordinary journey.
Along the way, he crosses paths with an eccentric, elder hermit known to the world as the "Chicken Man." This peculiar mentor is accompanied by his closest confidante and roommate: an intelligent, octogenarian chicken named Claudia. Together, this bizarre trio traverses the universe, probing the outer limits of reality in search of answers regarding the enigmatic reptilian musicians.
Pinkwater, celebrated throughout his prolific career for penning imaginative, boundary-pushing books for children and young adults, has long maintained a dedicated cult following. Translating his bizarre, philosophical, and comedic vision to the screen has been a complex challenge, but industry insiders note that Benny Safdie’s distinct aesthetic—known for capturing high-anxiety, hyper-focused characters in chaotic environments—provides a fascinating lens through which to adapt the material. Safdie penned the film’s screenplay adaptation himself, ensuring a faithful yet uniquely cinematic interpretation of Pinkwater’s imaginative universe.
Behind the Scenes: Production and Creative Heavyweights
The financing, production, and logistical framework behind Lizard Music brings together some of the most prominent production houses and heavy-hitting producers in the contemporary entertainment landscape. Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt are producing via their banner, while Benny Safdie produces through Out for the Count Productions. They are joined by Dwayne Johnson and his team at Seven Bucks Productions, alongside David Koplan representing Magnetic Fields Entertainment.
The collaboration between Safdie—historically associated with gritty, grounded indie thrillers like Uncut Gems and Good Time (co-directed with his brother Josh Safdie)—and mainstream commercial titans like Dwayne Johnson and Scott Stuber signals a unique hybrid approach to filmmaking. By fusing Safdie’s penchant for frantic narrative pacing with Johnson’s box-office gravity and Seven Bucks Productions’ family-friendly market reach, Lizard Music aims to appeal simultaneously to nostalgic adults familiar with Pinkwater’s literature, cinephiles tracking Safdie’s directorial evolution, and general family audiences.
Raye’s Expanding Artistic Horizon
For Raye, the Lizard Music project represents the latest milestone in an extraordinarily diverse and rapidly expanding career. The announcement arrives on the heels of a monumental commercial and critical period for the British artist. In May, following the release of her critically acclaimed sophomore studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, Raye transitioned into dramatic acting by securing a role in the Yann Demange-directed crime feature Lineage, set against the backdrop of London.
Though she previously made a cameo appearance playing herself in an episode of the Netflix series Black Rabbit, Lineage marked her first formal scripted dramatic role. Now, her involvement in Lizard Music expands her resume further into the realms of major Hollywood voice acting and high-profile cinematic composition. Her lead single from her second album, "Where Is My Husband!", has dominated music charts and is currently widely projected by industry analysts and critics to be a major contender for Song of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards.
By taking on original composition duties for a major hybrid live-action/CGI feature, Raye is stepping into the prestigious lineage of singer-songwriters who cross over into film scoring. Her distinct vocal styling, jazz-infused sensibilities, and lyrical depth are expected to provide the sonic foundation for a film whose very plot revolves around strange, unearthly music played by lizards.
Industry Implications and Broader Impact
The pairing of Benny Safdie’s directorial vision with an eclectic cast of Hollywood icons and a chart-topping musical talent like Raye underscores a shifting paradigm in modern family and fantasy filmmaking. Studios are increasingly moving away from homogenous, algorithm-driven blockbusters in favor of auteur-driven projects that inject independent sensibilities into major studio IP.
Furthermore, the casting choices reflect a deliberate strategy to cast a wide demographic net. The inclusion of comedic staples like Tim Heidecker and Jeff Goldblum alongside prestige dramatic actors like Colman Domingo and Rachel McAdams, paired with the global commercial footprint of Dwayne Johnson, guarantees intense cross-generational curiosity.
As production ramps up ahead of the late 2027 theatrical rollout, attention will undoubtedly focus on how Safdie balances the inherent absurdity of a talking octogenarian chicken and reptilian musicians with the emotional resonance required for a major holiday release. For Raye, the project offers a high-stakes platform to demonstrate her versatility as both a cinematic composer and a creative voice in Hollywood, cementing her status as a generational multi-hyphenate artist capable of conquering the worlds of pop music, prestige drama, and fantastical feature animation.
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