Dwayne Johnson looks completely unrecognisable in dramatic transformation for new role

Dwayne Johnson is instantly recognisable thanks to his towering 6'5" frame, impressive muscular physique and Hollywood good looks. But the 54-year-old actor looked totally transformed on Tuesday while stepping out in New York City to film his upcoming movie, Lizard Music.

The professional wrestler was pictured wearing extensive makeup and prosthetics to portray a whimsical elderly man in the Benny Safdie movie, which is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Christmas Day 2027. 

Dwayne, best known for his roles in Moana, The Smashing Machine, and the Jumanji franchise, walked the streets of Brooklyn in a beige bucket hat and matching coat over a blue shirt and patterned tie. The WWE star, whose character is nicknamed 'The Chicken Man', was spotted alongside his young co-star, Theo Clark Leber.

Keep reading to find out all we know about the film so far. 

What is Lizard Music about? 

Adapted from Daniel Pinkwater's novel of the same name, Lizard Music follows a boy left to his own devices who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music, and a hidden door to the extraordinary swings open.

The synopsis, via Deadline, continues: "His search for answers leads him to an eccentric and whimsical old man nicknamed The Chicken Man (Johnson) and his beloved companion, an 85-year-old chicken named Claudia – the boy and the old man become kindred spirits who find each other at just the right time.

"United by a shared vision, they set off on an adventure that begins as a hunt for a hidden society but blossoms into something far greater: a voyage through invisible worlds, unexpected harmonies, and the unbreakable bond between lost souls who discover magic not only in what they find, but also in each other."

Dwyane Johnson's transformation

Dwayne's latest role comes shortly after another major physical transformation. To portray legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie's 2025 sports biopic The Smashing Machine, Dwayne gained 30 pounds, wore 22 prosthetics, and donned a wig.

Speaking at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival's 'In Conversation With…' series, the actor revealed that after bulking up for that role, he was actively slimming down for Lizard Music.

"This is me slimmed down," he said. "In the process of slimming down. I still have a long ways to go."

Who else stars in Lizard Music? 

Dwayne and Theo lead a star-studded cast featuring Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), Regina Hall (Scary Movie), Jeff Goldblum (Wicked), and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls).

Rounding out the cast are Tim Heidecker, Arya Parvathi, Colman Domingo, Andrew Dice Clay and David Krumholtz.

Lizard Music will open in cinemas on December 25, 2027.