Raye is adding a major new screen credit to her fast-expanding creative career. The Grammy-winning artist has joined Lizard Music, Benny Safdie’s upcoming live-action/CGI hybrid, where she will both voice a character and create original music for the film.
That dual role instantly makes Lizard Music one of the more intriguing crossover projects on the 2027 release calendar. With Safdie writing and directing, Dwayne Johnson attached as star and producer, and a cast packed with acclaimed names, the film is shaping up as an ambitious family fantasy with a distinctive musical identity.
Raye brings star power and sound to Lizard Music
The biggest headline is Raye’s twofold contribution to Lizard Music. Rather than appearing only as a voice performer, she is also composing original music, a move that could significantly influence the movie’s tone, atmosphere, and emotional texture.
That matters because Lizard Music is not a standard animated feature or conventional family adventure. It is being developed as a live-action/CGI hybrid, a format that often relies heavily on music to bridge fantasy, wonder, and character-driven storytelling. Raye’s background as a songwriter, producer, composer, and arranger makes her an especially strong fit for a film built around mysterious music and invisible worlds.
Her involvement also signals that the soundtrack for Lizard Music may be more than a supporting element. Given the story’s emphasis on strange broadcasts and otherworldly sounds, original compositions could become central to the film’s identity.
What is Lizard Music about?
Based on Daniel Pinkwater’s novel of the same name, Lizard Music follows a boy left largely to himself who discovers a secret late-night broadcast featuring lizards performing surreal, otherworldly music. That discovery opens the door to a much larger mystery.
His search for answers leads him to an eccentric older figure known as The Chicken Man, played by Dwayne Johnson, and to Claudia, an 85-year-old chicken. Together, they embark on an adventure that evolves from a curious investigation into a journey through hidden societies, invisible worlds, and emotional connection.
At its core, Lizard Music appears to blend whimsical fantasy with themes of loneliness, imagination, and belonging. The premise is unusual enough to stand apart in today’s franchise-heavy landscape, while still offering broad family appeal.
Key story elements audiences can expect
- A young protagonist discovering a secret broadcast
- Musical motifs tied directly to the mystery
- A fantastical journey through unseen worlds
- An intergenerational friendship at the heart of the story
- A blend of humor, wonder, and emotional warmth
The cast behind Benny Safdie’s Lizard Music
Even before Raye’s casting, Lizard Music had already assembled an eye-catching ensemble. Previously announced cast members include Theo Leber, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, Arya Parvathi, Regina Hall, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, Rachel McAdams, David Krumholtz, and Andrew Dice Clay.
Dwayne Johnson is one of the project’s biggest draws, taking on the role of The Chicken Man while also producing. That combination of blockbuster familiarity and Safdie’s more eccentric creative sensibility suggests Lizard Music could aim for something commercially accessible yet artistically offbeat.
Behind the scenes, producers include Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists, Benny Safdie for Out for the Count Productions, Dwayne Johnson for Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan for Magnetic Fields Entertainment.
Why Raye is a smart choice for Lizard Music
Raye’s rise over the past decade has been remarkable. Since breaking through, she has delivered multiple UK Top 40 hits, accumulated billions of Spotify streams, and built a reputation as one of the most versatile artists working in pop and contemporary songwriting.
Her awards trajectory only strengthens the case for Lizard Music. She made history at the BRIT Awards by winning six trophies in a single night, including Songwriter of the Year, while her debut album My 21st Century Blues earned major critical acclaim. Her 2026 follow-up, This Music May Contain Hope, expanded that momentum with a Mercury Prize win and a UK No. 1 album.
What sets her apart for a project like Lizard Music is the breadth of her musicianship. She is not simply a vocalist stepping into film. She is an artist known for composition, arrangement, production, and emotional storytelling through music. For a movie where sound appears woven into the plot itself, that is a meaningful creative asset.
Why her film role stands out
- She is contributing both performance and music.
- The film’s narrative is deeply tied to sonic worldbuilding.
- Her orchestral and genre-blending work suits a fantasy setting.
- Her profile may broaden interest beyond film audiences to music fans.
Release date and what to watch next
Lizard Music is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 25, 2027, positioning it as a Christmas Day event title. That holiday slot suggests confidence in the film’s family appeal and awards-season visibility.
In the months ahead, audiences will likely be watching for first-look images, character details, and any early hints about the score. Because music is so central to Lizard Music, soundtrack news could become one of the film’s biggest talking points as promotion ramps up.
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Final take on Lizard Music
With Raye joining Lizard Music as both a voice actor and original composer, Benny Safdie’s upcoming film just became even more compelling. The project already had a standout premise, a high-profile cast, and a bold visual format, but Raye’s involvement adds a musical dimension that could define the entire experience.
If the film can translate its whimsical concept into something emotionally resonant, Lizard Music may emerge as one of the most distinctive family fantasy releases of 2027. For now, Raye’s addition is a strong sign that Lizard Music is aiming for something imaginative, cinematic, and sonically unforgettable.
