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By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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Disney’s latest trailer for its upcoming live‑action Moana has arrived—prompting a wave of excitement from fans of the animated hit, alongside a flurry of criticism aimed at one familiar face.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson appears in the trailer reprising his role as Maui, the shape-shifting demigod he voiced in the 2016 animated film. This time, however, Johnson is seen in full live‑action costume, sporting a voluminous curly wig that marks a sharp departure from his trademark bald look.
In Moana, Maui is a larger‑than‑life trickster demigod from Polynesian mythology, known for his superhuman strength. Though thousands of years old in the story’s mythology, the character is depicted as youthful, animated and physically imposing, serving as both a reluctant ally and comedic foil to Moana on her journey across the ocean.
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The new film is a live‑action adaptation of its Oscar‑nominated animated adventure and follows Moana (played by Catherine Lagaʻaia) as she answers the Ocean’s call and ventures beyond the reef of her island of Motunui to save her people.
Johnson stars alongside Lagaʻaia, Auckland‑born actor John Tui as Moana’s father Chief Tui, Samoan New Zealander Frankie Adams as her mother Sina, and New Zealand actor Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.
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While many fans praised the trailer’s visuals and faithfulness to the original film, Johnson’s appearance as Maui quickly divided viewers online, with some questioning whether he was the right choice for the live‑action role. Newsweek reached out to a representative for Dwayne Johnson and Disney's Press Office for comment via email.
"Hear me out: Live action Moana looks pretty good," wrote Kelsie, who posts as @peachsicecreations. "For Dwayne Johnson though, here’s what I woulda done to better compliment him." She went on to critique the hair, makeup and wardrobe choices, suggesting tweaks to the wig’s volume and color, changes to Maui’s necklace, and asking, "ALSO where’s his neck tat?"
Others were more blunt in their criticism. "Even with his muscles, Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson was a BAD casting choice for this live‑acting remake," wrote Jane (@the_black_jane). "Disney really needed to cast a bigger, muscular yet cherub Polynesian man…Someone who looks, dare I say, youthful. That ain't the Rock."
Another viewer, Alexander Thorp, said he had initially supported Johnson’s return to the role but changed his mind after seeing the trailer. "This design is faithful and everything but something just feels off seeing him in the role that I can’t put my finger on it," he wrote.
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Several comments focused specifically on the wig. "Girl it’s cuz they need to pull his wig down more," one user joked. "He look like a baby found mama’s wig and tried it on for the first time." Another added, "The hair is not BIG enough. They gave him white woman hair and it’s not right."
Some viewers suggested the issue was less about styling and more about age. "While Maui is a thousands‑of‑years‑old character in the original, he doesn’t look like a man in his 50s," wrote one user. "He and Moana more or less look like they could be close to the same age…he looks older than he should here."
Johnson, 53, has long spoken about his Polynesian heritage. He is of Samoan and Black Nova Scotian descent and has frequently cited his cultural background as deeply important to his work, including Moana, which was widely praised for its consultation with Pacific Islander cultural experts.
Maui himself is inspired by figures from Polynesian mythology, though he is not tied to one specific culture or historical individual.
Disney has emphasized that Johnson’s involvement extends beyond acting. The film is directed by Hamilton’s Thomas Kail and produced by Johnson alongside Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin‑Manuel Miranda, with Auliʻi Cravalho—who voiced Moana in the animated films—serving as an executive producer.
Moana will hit the big screen this summer on July 10.
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