Dwayne Johnson Reveals Why His Own Daughters Were Stunned By His Maui Look

Disney’s live-action Moana is still more than a year away from cinemas, but Dwayne Johnson’s return as Maui has already become one of the film’s biggest talking points. The actor, who voiced the demigod in the 2016 animated hit, will play him on screen this time, complete with Maui’s tattoos, physical presence and, most noticeably, a full head of long hair.

Johnson has now shared how that transformation landed at home. In a recent interview, he said his daughters needed a moment to process seeing him in character. “The first time they saw me as Maui, they were like, 'Oh,’” he said. The actor added, “It was jarring for them for maybe 10 minutes. Just to see me with hair, and I get it, it’s a lot of hair.”

Dwayne Johnson’s Maui look becomes an early Moana talking point

The reaction is easy to understand. Johnson’s bald look has been part of his public image for years, from wrestling to action films and family entertainers. Seeing him with Maui’s flowing locks instantly changes the visual equation. For many fans, it is also the clearest sign yet that Disney is leaning into a recognisable version of the animated character rather than completely redesigning him.

Maui’s appearance matters because the character is one of Moana’s most loved elements. In the animated film, his hair, tattoos, hook and larger-than-life body language helped define his screen presence. Translating that into live action is tricky. The look has to feel faithful enough for children, while still working in a real-world visual setting for older audiences.

The first glimpses from the film have already prompted online discussion, with viewers weighing in on Johnson’s transformation. That reaction was expected. Live-action remakes often face intense scrutiny long before release, especially when beloved animated characters are involved. In Maui’s case, Johnson has the advantage of already being closely associated with the role through his voice performance.

Catherine Laga'aia leads Disney’s live-action Moana

The upcoming film stars Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, the young wayfinder whose journey across the ocean became the heart of the original movie. Her casting marks one of the most important creative choices for the remake, as the film depends on its lead performer carrying both the emotional arc and the musical energy of the story.

Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2, is involved as an executive producer on the live-action version. That connection gives the new film a direct link to the character’s original screen legacy. It also signals Disney’s attempt to handle the transition carefully, especially with a story rooted in Polynesian culture and identity.

The film is directed by Thomas Kail, best known for his work on Hamilton. Kail’s stage background is relevant because Moana is not only an adventure story but also a musical. The film will need to balance ocean-scale spectacle with songs that audiences already know, while making space for live-action performances that feel intimate and emotionally grounded.

Disney has confirmed that the live-action reimagining will feature original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, along with an original score by Mancina. The music team is central to the film’s appeal, given how strongly songs such as How Far I’ll Go and You’re Welcome shaped the animated movie’s popularity.

Why the Moana remake is under close watch

Moana occupies a special place in Disney’s recent catalogue. Released in 2016, the animated film became a global favourite and earned Oscar nominations. Its story followed Moana as she crossed the ocean to save her island, forming an uneasy but eventually warm partnership with Maui. The film combined mythology, family conflict, humour and self-discovery in a format that travelled widely across age groups.

That popularity also raises expectations for the live-action version. Disney’s remakes have often divided viewers, with some appreciating the visual scale and others questioning whether animated classics need retelling. Moana is a particularly interesting case because the original is relatively recent compared with titles such as The Lion King, Aladdin or The Little Mermaid.

For Indian audiences, the film’s release plan is already clear. Moana is scheduled to arrive exclusively in cinemas across India in English and Hindi on 10 July 2026. The Hindi release should help Disney reach younger family audiences beyond metro English-speaking viewers, especially during a period when dubbed Hollywood films continue to perform strongly in Indian theatres.

Johnson is also one of the film’s major commercial anchors in India. His popularity from franchises such as Fast & Furious, Jumanji and Black Adam gives the film a familiar face for audiences who may not follow every Disney animated title. With Maui, he returns to a family-friendly role that already has strong recall among children.

The live-action Moana is produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho serve as executive producers. With that team, Disney is positioning the film as both a large-scale theatrical event and a carefully managed revisit to one of its most successful modern stories.

For now, Johnson’s hair may be the internet’s favourite detail, but it points to a larger challenge facing the film. The remake has to make familiar characters feel real without losing the charm that made them work in animation. Audiences in India will see how that balance holds when Moana reaches cinemas on 10 July 2026.