Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson is stepping away from his trademark action-hero physique for a quirky transformation in ‘Lizard Music’. After bulking up nearly 27 kilograms to portray MMA legend Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’, Johnson is now shedding weight to play a whimsical and eccentric 70-something-year-old character named Chicken Man.

The film marks Johnson’s reunion with acclaimed director Benny Safdie, who directed him in ‘The Smashing Machine’, a performance already generating Oscar buzz. Speaking about the new role at the Toronto International Film Festival, Johnson revealed how quickly he connected with the pitch. “After about 45 minutes, this pitch ended, and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man.’”

Based on Daniel Pinkwater’s cult novel, ‘Lizard Music’ tells the offbeat story of a septuagenarian whose closest companion is a 70-year-old chicken. Johnson admitted the transformation is still ongoing, noting he’s had to scale back his famously protein-heavy diet, joking that it means “eating less chicken.”

The shift towards character-driven roles signals a new chapter in Johnson’s career. While ‘The Smashing Machine’ allowed him to break free from being typecast, ‘Lizard Music’ offers an even more unconventional challenge. Still, Johnson assured fans he won’t be leaving blockbusters behind, confirming a reunion with Kevin Hart for ‘Jumanji 3’, which begins filming this November.

With his willingness to experiment, Johnson is proving that his acting journey goes far beyond the action-hero image that made him a global superstar.