Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Looks Unrecognizable as He Transforms Into an Elderly Man for New Movie

Dwayne Johnson's latest transformation is making him look unrecognizable.

The wrestler-turned-actor's dedication to his latest role in the upcoming adventure flick Lizard Music really went to extremes in his transformation into the 70-something-year-old man.

For the fantasy movie based on the 1976 children's novel of the same name, The Rock's costume included a bucket hat, a trench coat, a goofy tie, and dad sneakers to bring his character, The Chicken Man, to life.

Taking things even further, Johnson also sported a scraggly gray beard for the role during the October 20 shoot on the New York set.

In essence, the actor looked practically unrecognizable in character as the old man, with a wrinkled face and beard that hid his cut jawline.

As much as this role is a shift from Johnson's affinity for playing action heroes in pieces like Black Adam, Jumanji, and the Fast & Furious saga, the actor said finding a new lane on camera was long overdue.

At the Toronto International Film Festival 2025, the actor reportedly said during an informal conversation at the Royal Alexandra Theater, “I wanted something like this for such a long time,” about doing a movie creatively for himself, rather than acting in a Hollywood tentpole aimed at his legions of fans, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Lizard Music is based on the kids' novel about a young boy who becomes involved with intelligent lizard musicians who tell him of a little-known invasion from outer space.

Johnson talked up the movie as a “whimsical” flick about a boy who stumbles on a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing music, only to pass through a hidden door to meet a Chicken Man (played by him).

The Smashing Machine star also recalled telling filmmaker Benny Safdie, who is directing this fantasy-adventure: “I’m your Chicken Man.”

Meanwhile, Safdie himself felt the need to collaborate with The People's Champ after their first meeting.

Joining Johnson on stage at the Toronto International Film Festival, the writer/director said, “When I first met Dwayne, I saw this swirl behind his eyes. There’s this incredible magnetism that draws you in. But there’s also complex emotions just waiting to get out.”

Alongside The Rock, Safdie will also be working with Theo Clark Leber, Tim Heidecker, Alicia Silverstone, Regina Hall, Andrew Dice Clay, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, Rachel McAdams, and David Krumholtz on this upcoming movie.

Lizard Music is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2027.