Raye scores, sings, and shapes Benny Safdie’s Lizard Music for 2027

# **Raye Scores, Sings, and Shapes Benny Safdie’s Lizard Music for 2027** In a move that blends music and film in a way few Hollywood collaborations have, Grammy‑winning singer Raye will not only lend her voice to a character in Benny Safdie’s upcoming live‑action/CGI hybrid but will also compose the entire original score.

The project, titled *Lizard Music*, is set to hit U.S. theaters on Christmas Day, 2027, and already boasts an impressive ensemble: Dwayne Johnson, Theo Leber, Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, Arya Parvathi, Regina Hall, Colman Domingo, Jeff Goldblum, Rachel McAdams, David Krumholtz, and Andrew Dice Clay.

Why this pairing matters is twofold. First, Raye’s record‑breaking catalog—over ten billion Spotify streams and twenty‑one Top 40 UK singles—positions her as a fresh creative force in a film that promises to fuse fantastical storytelling with striking visuals.

Second, Safdie’s screenplay, adapted from Daniel Pinkwater’s novel, invites an imaginative musical score that could define a new niche in hybrid cinema, making Raye’s dual role as composer and performer a critical piece of the puzzle.

The film follows Theo Leber’s young protagonist, a boy who stumbles upon a clandestine night‑time broadcast of lizards producing otherworldly music.

This discovery opens a doorway to hidden realms, leading the boy into the company of an eccentric old man known as The Chicken Man, played by Dwayne Johnson, and his eighty‑five‑year‑old chicken, Claudia.

Together, they embark on a journey that begins as a hunt for a secret society and expands into a saga of invisible worlds, unexpected harmonies, and the unbreakable bonds that form between lost souls. Safdie himself penned the script, weaving whimsical adventure with an underlying sense of wonder.

Against this backdrop, Raye’s involvement signals a strategic blending of her musical evolution—her latest Mercury Prize‑winning album *This Music May Contain Hope*—with a narrative that relies heavily on sonic atmosphere.

Her upcoming orchestral production, *Live From Seven World Wonders*, showcases her capability to scale music from intimate pop to sweeping symphonic landscapes.

Bringing that versatility to *Lizard Music* offers audiences an auditory experience that mirrors the film’s fantastical premise. ## Background & Context Benny Safdie, son of the famed Safdie brothers, has carved a niche in indie cinema with his signature blend of surreal storytelling and sharp visual style. *Lizard Music* marks a notable shift as he tackles a live‑action/CGI hybrid, a format that demands careful balance between practical filmmaking and digital spectacle.

United Artists has championed the project, with producers Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt spearheading the creative vision. The film also carries the weight of its source material, Daniel Pinkwater’s novel, which has long been celebrated for its quirky humor and imaginative plots.

Enter Raye, a UK‑born artist whose trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Since 2014, she has amassed twenty‑one Top 40 UK singles and more than ten billion streams on Spotify, her broad appeal.

In 2024, she shattered records at the Brit Awards, claiming six trophies—including Songwriter of the Year—and her debut album *My 21st Century Blues* was crowned Album of the Year.

Her 2026 sophomore release, *This Music May Contain Hope*, earned the Mercury Prize and topped charts in sixteen territories, cementing her status as an independent powerhouse. Raye’s role in *Lizard Music* extends beyond vocal performance.

She is tasked with creating an original score that must complement the film’s blend of realism and whimsy. The film’s narrative, centered on a boy’s exploration of a hidden broadcast that reveals lizards playing otherworldly music, requires a soundtrack that is both mysterious and evocative.

The composer must navigate the transition between the mundane world of the boy and the surreal realms the lizards hint at, using musical motifs to underscore themes of discovery, friendship, and the transcendental nature of music itself.

The collaboration also dovetails with Safdie’s own history of working with musicians to enhance his films. His earlier projects often featured carefully curated soundtracks that reinforced the story’s emotional core.

In *Lizard Music*, Raye’s involvement promises a fresh sonic palette that could redefine how music functions in hybrid cinematic experiences. ## What People Are Saying While the film has yet to generate mainstream buzz, industry insiders recognize the unique combination of talent and ambition at its core.

Casting Dwayne Johnson—who co‑produced and plays the “Chicken Man”—adds star power and a distinct brand of charisma that appeals to family audiences. The ensemble, which includes Alicia Silverstone, Jeff Goldblum, and Rachel McAdams, signals a cross‑generational appeal that Safdie has long cultivated.

Raye’s dual role as composer and voice actor is already generating curiosity among music fans and film buffs alike. The artist’s history of blending pop sensibilities with experimental arrangements makes her a natural fit for a story that hinges on unconventional musical themes.

Critics have noted that her recent work—particularly *This Music May Contain Hope*, which earned a Mercury Prize—demonstrates her ability to craft songs that resonate across cultural and sonic boundaries.

In addition, the film’s production companies—UA, Out for the Count Productions, Seven Bucks Productions, and Magnetic Fields Entertainment—have a reputation for backing projects that push creative limits.

Their involvement hints at a production that will invest heavily in both visual effects and musical innovation, ensuring that Raye’s score can fully realize the film’s imaginative scope.

The press has also highlighted Raye’s representation by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and The Team, both of which have a strong track record of managing artists who successfully cross over between music and film.

This partnership suggests that the collaboration will be handled with strategic foresight, positioning Raye not just as a performer but as a creative force with substantial influence over the film’s artistic direction. ## What Happens Next With the release slated for December 25, 2027, the next few years will be crucial for both Raye and Safdie as they bring *Lizard Music* to life.

Raye will continue to promote her forthcoming orchestral project *Live From Seven World Wonders*, which promises to showcase her ability to scale music for large venues. The overlap between her touring schedule and the film’s production timeline will demand careful coordination.

However, the artist has already demonstrated her capacity for juggling multiple high‑profile projects, as seen in her 2026 tour across Australia.

From a marketing perspective, the film’s release on a holiday that traditionally sees a surge in family‑friendly cinema provides an opportune moment to capitalize on both Safdie’s indie credibility and the star power of the cast.

Promotional campaigns are likely to emphasize Raye’s dual role, leveraging her massive streaming audience and the growing appetite for music‑driven narratives.

The film’s distribution through United Artists will ensure a broad theatrical rollout, while digital platforms may offer a secondary release path that could attract audiences who prefer streaming.

Given the film’s blend of live‑action and CGI, the visual experience will be a key selling point, and the soundtrack will be positioned as an integral part of the overall storytelling.

In the years leading up to the 2027 release, both Raye and Safdie will likely engage with media outlets, music festivals, and film festivals to build anticipation. ## Closing As *Lizard Music* gears up for its holiday debut, the collaboration between Benny Safdie and Raye promises a fresh fusion of cinematic storytelling and musical innovation.

With a cast that spans generations, a production company lineup that favors artistic risk, and a composer whose work already blurs genre boundaries, the film stands poised to offer audiences a uniquely immersive experience that celebrates the extraordinary power of music and imagination.