AceShowbiz - Moana’s upcoming live-action adaptation has given fans their first in-depth look at Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui. The recently released full trailer showcases Johnson wearing a heavy wig and detailed body prosthetics to bring this beloved character to life in a new form.

Dwayne Johnson revealed to Entertainment Weekly that the prosthetics and hair he wears as Maui add approximately 40 pounds to his frame. This unexpected weight posed significant challenges during his performance, as he needed to adapt to expressing emotions and movement while carrying the extra burden.

“The thing that became a challenge, that I had to work through very quickly, that I didn't anticipate was the prosthetics and the hair and then the body,” Johnson explained. “That is an additional 40 pounds on you.” He further elaborated on the difficulty of maintaining freedom in his performance with all the added gear. “There's a freedom when you perform, whether it's as an actor or singing. So that was an adjustment on how to actually work my emotions through the 40 pounds of prosthetics and hair and body that I had on me.”

The transformation process for Johnson is notably extensive. Each day requires about two and a half hours in the makeup chair to apply the prosthetics and hair. At one point, the production team considered replacing these physical effects with digital enhancements but ultimately chose to keep the practical approach.

Director Thomas Kail shared additional insight into the complexity of Maui’s look, specifically mentioning the character’s wig. “We knew that it had to be something that could have real lift to it,” Kail said. “Because you're doing this on the water, 'What does it look like wet?' is a real conversation when you're making Moana.” The wet wig alone adds another seven pounds to Johnson’s already heavy costume.

Johnson’s commitment to the role is further highlighted by the physical changes he made. To portray Maui convincingly, he gained 40 pounds, bringing his weight up to 282 pounds. This transformation contrasts with a recent dramatic role he undertook in The Smashing Machine, for which he slimmed back down to 235 pounds. Despite these shifts, Johnson noted that losing weight for the Maui role was not an option due to the need to maintain the character’s physical proportions, especially around the neck to match the size of the bodysuit.

“Maui was a big guy, and I couldn't lose the weight because when you lose weight, you lose it here,” Johnson said, pointing to his neck. “I couldn't have a big bodysuit and then a small little skinny neck. Forty, 50 pounds is a lot to put on. Then it's a lot to maintain for months ... It was grueling because of the suit and how hot it was.”

He described the demanding conditions on set, where multiple crew members would be needed to keep him cool and comfortable between takes. “In between takes, there's literally five, six people, all (with) fans, opening me up, pulling my hair back,” Johnson recalled.

Despite the dedication and effort poured into crafting Maui’s look for the live-action film, the reaction from audiences on social media has been mixed, with many critics focusing on Johnson’s wig. Shortly after the trailer’s release, social media quickly filled with negative comments targeting the hairpiece and overall visual presentation.

One user commented, “Hundreds of millions of dollars wasted so Dwayne Johnson can don a terrible wig and deliver the same lines but with worse timing. New low for the corporate slopmongers.” Others posted memes and comparisons, poking fun at the wig and questioning the creative choices behind the character’s appearance.

Despite the backlash, Moana is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, where audiences will get to see the full performance and production values firsthand. Fans of the original animated film and those curious about the live-action adaptation will have a chance to judge the transformation and storytelling when the movie premieres.

In addition to returning as Maui, Dwayne Johnson is preparing to reunite with director Benny Safdie for an adaptation of Daniel Pinkwater’s novel Lizard Music, where he will portray the Chicken Man. This role requires a different physical look, so Johnson will reduce his weight again after completing his work on Moana.

For now, the spotlight remains on the heavy prosthetics, intricate costume, and the challenges that come with embodying such an iconic character in live-action form. As the release date approaches, anticipation and discussion about Moana’s look and storytelling continue to grow.