Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been lampooned for his wig in the live-action Moana trailer which dropped on Monday.
The 53-year-old actor has taken on the role of Maui in the upcoming adaptation – the same character he also voiced in the original animated film and the 2024 sequel.
The two-minute video featured a glimpse into some of the characters coming to life including the titular character Moana – portrayed by Catherine Laga’aia, 19.
Johnson’s dramatic introduction takes place halfway through the trailer as he plays the demigod Maui who has the unique power to shapeshift into different creatures with a magical fish hook.
However, fans quickly jumped to social media to share their thoughts on the star’s wavy wig.
One penned on X, ‘they really just slapped on a wig and called it a day,’ while another typed, ‘it’s so rare seeing him with hair.’
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, 53, has been lampooned for his wig in the live-action Moana trailer which dropped on Monday; seen in January in Palm Springs
Johnson’s dramatic introduction takes place halfway through the trailer as he plays the demigod Maui who has the unique power to shapeshift into different creatures with a magical fish hook
‘Who did ur wig sis,’ a fan wrote, and one said, ‘We didn’t need a live action movie but let’s see how it goes though, the trailer looks nice except for D’Rock [i]n a wig. That looks funny.’
Another shared, ‘Live-action was a mistake. Some things are better left animated… this is one of them.’
‘CGI slop! Rock’s wig looks stupid!’ an X user penned, and one shared a screenshot of a comment that read, ‘I hate this wig on you sis no maam.’
A fan wrote, ‘Okay! Gonna be real! The Rock looks super goofy in this! Like really really goofy! I’d love if we just got an Authentic Animated Disney movie like the good ol’ days!
‘Bring back stuff like Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Disney Freaking Dinosaurs for all I care! But no more Live Action Remakes! Just Live Action New Titles, or New IP’s in general!’ they added.
Over on Instagram, another typed, ‘We’ve told all the casting agents that the Weird Al biopic sequel is currently on hold, but they just keep sending in headshots,’ along with a still of Johnson in the live-action trailer.
But some fans had differing opinions as one commented, ‘The Rock was born to play Maui in real life. Those tattoos look incredible! July 10th can’t come soon enough.’
An X user shared, ‘Such a perfect choice! I’ve always loved Maui so much… his energy, his songs, his whole larger-than-life vibe. Dwayne is gonna crush this role.’
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Are live-action remakes ruining the magic of beloved animated classics like Moana?
However, fans quickly jumped to social media to share their thoughts on the star’s wavy wig
Johnson voiced the character of Maui in the 2016 original animated movie as well as the sequel which hit theaters in 2024
Johnson voiced the character of Maui in the 2016 original animated movie as well as the sequel which hit theaters in 2024.
During a previous interview with Extra, the actor opened up about stepping onto the set of the live-action remake for the first time and said the moment was ‘eye-opening.’
‘I have a handle on who Maui is. I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it,’ he explained.
Johnson added that the ‘moment I stepped on set’ of the upcoming adaptation, ‘I realized right away, “Oh, wow, this is different,” in terms of this is real flesh-and-blood and skin-and-bones.
‘It becomes real all of the sudden. It was almost like getting in my grandfather’s skin and what that was like.’
And back in 2024, Johnson showed off his buff physique while shooting scenes for the film in Hawaii – but some fans had speculated he was wearing a bodysuit.
‘That’s a suit that took a long time to put on,’ he also revealed to Extra. ‘So, I’m so happy you said, “You bulked up,” because when you say, “You bulked up,” that means you couldn’t tell.
‘That is a couple of hours every day of transforming, putting that on,’ the star further explained to the outlet.
‘I have a handle on who Maui is. I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it,’ he explained
Laga’aia seen as Moana in the latest trailer that dropped earlier this week on Monday
Johnson also admitted that the wig and prosthetics had been ‘a challenge’ while filming scenes’
The director of the live-action Moana, Thomas Kail, recently talked to Entertainment Weekly about Johnson’s prosthetics and wig for his role as Maui.
‘We knew that it had to be something that could have real lift to it,’ the filmmaker explained.
‘Because you’re doing this on the water, “what does it look like wet?’ is a real conversation when you’re making Moana. That one weighs seven pounds more with all the water in it for all those hours a day.’
Johnson also admitted that the wig and prosthetics had been ‘a challenge’ while filming scenes.
‘That is an additional 40 pounds on you,’ the star also told the outlet. ‘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.’
Alongside Johnson and Laga’aia, other cast members in the upcoming project – which hits theaters on July 10 – include John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owens
Late last year, fans slammed the Moana live-action remake as ‘CGI slop’ after the first teaser dropped
Another typed, ‘0.42 percent of this trailer is live-action,’ while one added, ‘This might be the most unnecessary shot-for-shot live-action remake in history’
Alongside Johnson and Laga’aia, other cast members in the upcoming project – which hits theaters on July 10 – include John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owens.
Late last year, fans slammed the Moana live-action remake as ‘CGI slop’ after the first teaser dropped.
One fan said on X, ‘So we’re getting a CGI slop fest marketed as a “live-action” adaptation for a… *checks notes* CGI-animated film that just got a CGI-animated sequel last year… right.’
Another typed, ‘0.42 percent of this trailer is live-action,’ while one added, ‘This might be the most unnecessary shot-for-shot live-action remake in history.’
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