Moana Set Photos Reveal Dwayne Johnson’s Live-Action Maui

Moana Set Photos Reveal Dwayne Johnson’s Live-Action Maui

As a film enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of Disney animation over the decades, I must say that the upcoming live-action remake of “Moana” is a project that excites me to no end. Having grown up with the original animated version and falling in love with its vibrant storytelling and captivating characters, I was initially skeptical about Disney’s tendency to churn out live-action adaptations without much finesse. However, Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui has piqued my interest, and this first look at the live-action Maui has me convinced that this film might just be a game-changer.


The beloved Disney franchise, “Moana,” which debuted in 2016, is receiving an unusual amount of attention from Disney. Not only is a sequel on its way, but a live-action version is also being made, even though the original movie is just eight years old. This is a departure for Disney, as their live-action remakes have had mixed reactions. However, “Moana” stands out because an actor from the original cast will reprise their role in the live-action adaptation – Dwayne Johnson is returning as Maui. A new photo from the set provides a glimpse of what he’ll look like in the upcoming film. You can take a peek at it here.

In summary, this image is just a straightforward snapshot – slightly out of focus – showcasing Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui during filming. However, what makes this picture significant is it’s the first glimpse we’ve had of Johnson as live-action Maui. Earlier reports confirmed that the live-action version of Moana was underway, and fans have been curious about how they would make Johnson resemble his animated character. Although Johnson has a substantial physique due to his wrestling career as “The Rock,” the animated Maui is much broader than Johnson in reality. This photograph offers fans their first peek at how the live-action film plans to represent that massive form.

From the image, it seems like some artificial limbs might be used. Johnson has grown more prominent in Hollywood than he ever was in wrestling, but he wouldn’t have become Maui-massive without a bit of assistance. The real-life Maui isn’t as broad as the animated one, yet still looks fantastic. Laga’aia also looks good as Moana, but Johnson’s Maui is undeniably captivating. Maui was a standout in the original Moana, and Johnson has always been entertaining, a trait that originated from his wrestling days. The Rock rose to stardom due to his antics both within and outside of matches. If the live-action remake manages to make Maui successful, a significant part of its task is accomplished, and this photo suggests they’re heading in the right direction.

The upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana faces a significant challenge, as most Disney live-action remakes have garnered substantial financial success but not always a large fanbase. With the cast under growing scrutiny as the film’s completion and release draw near, this image of Moana and Maui suggests that the filmmakers are committed to staying true to the original, despite the restrictions imposed by live-action adaptations on animated source material.

Moana is scheduled to release on July 10, 2026.

Read More

2024-11-21 02:39