Disney has released the trailer for its live-action remake of Moana, featuring Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui. In a new interview, Johnson and director Thomas Kail discussed the physical challenges of the role, including heavy prosthetics and a water-resistant wig. The actor highlighted the cultural significance of representing Polynesian heritage.
Disney unveiled the trailer for its live-action adaptation of Moana on March 23, 2026, showcasing Dwayne Johnson reprising his voice role from the 2016 animated film as the Polynesian demigod Maui. The reveal has sparked mixed reactions among fans regarding Johnson's live-action portrayal, prompting explanations from the actor and director Thomas Kail in an Entertainment Weekly interview quoted by Deadline Hollywood. Kail emphasized the practical demands of filming on water, stating, “We knew that it had to be something that could have real lift to it,” about the wig design. He added that it “weighs seven pounds more with all the water in it for all those hours a day.” Johnson described the unanticipated difficulties: “the prosthetics and the hair and then the body,” totaling an extra 40 pounds. He noted, “There’s a freedom when you perform, whether it’s as an actor or singing. So that was an adjustment on how to actually work my emotions through the 40 pounds of prosthetics and hair and body that I had on me.” The production followed Johnson's work on Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, where he gained weight, and a subsequent loss for Safdie’s Lizard Music. However, for Maui, he maintained bulk to match the bodysuit, explaining, “Maui was a big guy, and I couldn’t lose the weight because when you lose weight, you lose it here,” gesturing to his neck. He called the process “grueling because of the suit and how hot it was,” with crew members using fans between takes. Johnson also reflected on the role's weight: “You realize that you’re representing cultures and people who came before you who were voyagers, they were warriors... There’s still this pride and joy... So you feel that responsibility, and it does hit differently.” The film is slated for theatrical release on July 10.
