Disney has released a new trailer for its upcoming live-action remake of Moana, giving fans their first glimpse of Dwayne Johnson as Maui. The original Moana, which came out in 2016, tells the story of a young woman who sets out on a quest to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fitti. She needs help from Maui, a demigod, after a mysterious blight begins to harm her island’s resources.
The movie Moana was very popular, receiving two Academy Award nominations. In 2023, Disney announced a live-action version of the film, with Catherine Laga’aia cast as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui, a character he originally voiced in the animated movie.
The newest trailer for the movie features the memorable moment when Moana and Maui meet for the first time, and finally shows the famous actor as he appears on the island where he’s been stuck.
He looks completely different than he normally does, and it’s not just due to his long hair and grass skirt for the part he’s playing.
Dwayne Johnson told Entertainment Weekly that preparing for his role as Maui was incredibly demanding, requiring him to wear over 40 pounds of prosthetic makeup and body enhancements.
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Maui was a large man, and he explained that he couldn’t slim down because weight loss happens all over the body – he indicated this by pointing to his neck.
It didn’t make sense to have a large body suit and then a very thin neck. Gaining forty or fifty pounds was a significant change, and then keeping it on for months was really tough. The suit itself was exhausting, especially because it was so hot. You’ll be surprised when you see the photos.
While filming, I often had five or six people crowding around me with fans, constantly fixing my hair.
He explained that it took around two and a half hours each day on set to get into character as Maui.
Johnson explained they initially considered using visual effects to create the costume, even digitally constructing the entire body. However, they realized a physical suit would create a more genuine and impactful emotional connection with the audience.
The design needed to feel natural and responsive, working with the actor’s movements. We decided to really push the boundaries, and makeup designer Joel Harlow delivered fantastic results.
Disney’s live-action Moana will be released in cinemas on 10 July.
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2026-03-24 00:19