Raye To Compose Original Music And Voice A Character For Benny Safdie’s ‘Lizard Music’ At United Artists

British singer-songwriter Raye has been tapped to play a dual creative role in the upcoming film "Lizard Music," directed by Benny Safdie and produced by United Artists. According to deadline.com, the Grammy-winning musician will both compose original songs and lend her voice to one of the characters in this ambitious live-action and CGI hybrid project.

This film adaptation is based on Daniel Pinkwater’s novel of the same title and features a notable ensemble cast including Dwayne Johnson, who also serves as a producer, alongside Theo Leber, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, and Jeff Goldblum among others. Scheduled for a theatrical release on Christmas Day 2027, "Lizard Music" weaves a whimsical narrative centering on a young boy who discovers a secret broadcast of enigmatic lizards playing mystical music late at night.

The storyline follows the boy’s journey as he encounters the eccentric "Chicken Man," portrayed by Johnson, and his elderly chicken companion named Claudia. This unlikely group embarks on an adventure that transcends a simple mystery hunt, exploring hidden realms, unusual melodies, and the profound connections formed between kindred spirits.

Benny Safdie, renowned for his distinctive filmmaking style, penned the screenplay and is among the film’s producers, alongside Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt from United Artists, Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, and David Koplan’s Magnetic Fields Entertainment.

Raye’s involvement underscores her ongoing evolution as an artist. Since her debut in 2014, she has accumulated multiple Grammy nominations and a prolific catalog of 21 Top 40 UK singles, alongside over 10 billion streams on Spotify. Her breakthrough came in 2024 when she made historic strides at the Brit Awards, securing six trophies in one night and earning the title of Songwriter of the Year, a first for any female artist.

Her sophomore album, "This Music May Contain Hope," released in 2026, garnered the prestigious Mercury Prize and achieved the No. 1 spot on UK charts, reflecting her growing stature as an independent creative force. The album also broke into the Top 10 across sixteen countries, further cementing her international appeal.

In addition to her film contributions, Raye continues to expand her artistic scope, recently headlining major festivals and announcing a global orchestral tour titled "This Symphony May Contain Hope. Live From Seven World Wonders," set to reach audiences in China, Europe, the United States, Australia, and Ghana.

Represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and The Team, Raye’s entry into the cinematic realm via "Lizard Music" marks another significant chapter in her multidisciplinary career, blending her talents in songwriting, composition, and vocal performance.

With a creative team featuring industry heavyweights and an innovative narrative blending live-action and CGI, "Lizard Music" positions itself as a noteworthy film project slated for the holiday season of 2027. The collaboration between Safdie, Johnson, and now Raye highlights a convergence of diverse artistic talents aimed at bringing a unique story to life on the big screen.

As the project develops, further details regarding Raye’s character and the film’s soundtrack are anticipated. For now, her involvement signals a compelling fusion of contemporary music artistry with cinematic storytelling, promising audiences an immersive experience that resonates beyond traditional genre boundaries.