Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson fans are all saying the same thing about his hunky frame after he was seen for the first time filming the live action remake of Moana this week.
Johnson, 52 – who voiced the role of Maui in the fully animated Moana film in 2016, got into character as the Polynesian demigod in Hawaii as he went shirtless and flashed intricate tattoos while clad in a leaf skirt.
The You’re Welcome singer – who is known for his signature bald head – sported a flowing raven wig and a whalebone necklace – topped off with tinted shades between takes as he strolled around set.
While famed for his hunky frame, the ex-wrestler was looking more ripped than ever as he showed off his defined pecs and muscular arms on the set.
But fans are convinced his physique is actually a cleverly crafted bodysuit after seeing the first images from the set.
One fan wrote: ‘The Rock and skinny don’t go in the same sentence but it does look like a body suit.’
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson fans are all saying the same thing about his hunky frame after he was seen for the first time filming the live action remake of Moana this week
A second typed: ‘Wait is The Rock THAT big or is that a body suit?’
Others wrote: ‘You signed The Rock and then put him in a body suit? Aw hellllll nooooo’, ‘The Rock in body suit looks weird and i am surprised he is wearing long hair’ and ‘That has to be a body suit. There’s no way The Rock is that big.’
‘It doesn’t, the arms alone are a dead giveaway that he’s wearing a body suit. Rock doesn’t have that much body fat.
‘don’t shoot me… but that’s a body suit right? I don’t recall The Rock being THAT big.’
He joined Catherine Laga’aia, 17 – the young actress who will play the titular Polynesian heroine, Moana – on set.
The Sydney, Australia native is a relative unknown with Samoan heritage.
Laga’aia previously said: ‘I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites. My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa.
‘I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.’
The You’re Welcome singer – who is known for his signature bald head – sported a flowing raven wig and a whalebone necklace – topped off with shades between takes as he strolled around set as character Maui
While famed for his hunky frame, the ex-wrestler was looking more ripped than ever as he showed off his defined pecs and muscular arms on the set
But fans are convinced his physique is actually a cleverly crafted bodysuit after seeing the first images from the set
The Rock memorably sang You’re Welcome in the 2016 animated classic and will reprise his voice role in Moana 2 – scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 27, 2024
Auliʻi Cravalho, 23, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, is reprising the titular voice role for the second installment of the animated version – set for release on November 27 2024.
Rounding out the new cast members for the remake are John Tui, 49, who play her dad Chief Tui, Frankie Adams, 30, portrays her mom Sina, while Rena Owen, 61, takes on the Gramma Tala character.
#MOANALiveAction is scheduled to premiere in theaters July 10, 2026.
Thomas Kail will be directing the live-action version, and famed Broadway star Lin Manuel Miranda is doing the music for the movie.
Kail is working from a screenplay by Jared Bush, who served as the writer of the fully animated Moana (2016), which went on to become a smash hit with fans, grossing $687.2 million while working with a $150-175 million budget.
In Moana, the title character sets sail to seek Maui in order to save her island from ecological disaster.
She convinces him to accompany her on her voyage to recover his magical fish hook and restore the heart stone that he stole from the goddess Te Fiti.
Moana is a passion project of sorts for The Rock, considering he has Samoan citizenship due to his mother being Samoan, according to IMDb.
‘This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul,’ he said of Moana.
‘There is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.’
Sean Bailey, Disney Live Action’s president of production, recognized that only seven years had passed since the animated Moana film was released, but took into account that the celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary contributed to the decision to remake the film so soon.
Moana 2 – written and directed by Dave G. Derrick Jr. – is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 27, 2024.
Johnson first announced the live-action remake in April 2023.
He tweeted: ‘Humbled to say we’re bringing #MOANA’s beautiful story to the live action big screen!
The pair will reprise their roles in animated sequel Moana 2 – set for release on November 27
‘#MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I’m honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people.’
The Fast and Furious actor shared more about the upcoming movie in a pre-recorded message with his daughters, including the inspiration he gets from his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.
Johnson spoke more during the pre-recorded segment with his daughters, saying, via Variety :’We are so excited and happy to announce that a live action reimagining of Moana is in the works. Moana, Grandma Tala, the music, the dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the village, the beautiful powerful ocean and one more …what’s that guys? Oh, yours truly…Heihei the chicken! Kidding. Heihei is gonna be in it, but of course Maui will be in it too.
‘Many of you may not know the brilliant team at Disney Animation, my partners, we found so much inspiration for Maui in the mana and the presence of my late grandfather, the legendary High Chief Peter Maivia.
‘He would walk in light up the room — the energy, the tattoos, the hair, the bod. [sings with daughters] “When you’re starring at a demigod” Thank you. Sorry, I get caught up in the moment.
‘So as you guys can see — perfect timing as the sun comes out — just how deep the story is for me, because in a way, when I bring Maui to life, I’m doing it in the spirit of my grandfather. So it’s still very early in the process. There’s so much more work to be done.
‘But until then, there is one more thing that I need to kick this journey off right. Girls do want to get that special thing that Daddy needs? [Bring out his staff] Wow, you guys are daddy’s daughters. You are so strong. Thank you guys so much.’
He concluded: ‘We’re gonna go in the ocean. Yes. Oh, look at the love I have. Is Daddy Maui? No! You guys want ice cream? Yes! So Daddy is Maui.’
