Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of "Moana" at the Hollywood Bowl, Johnson told Variety that Maui's hair is integral to his powers, making the wig selection crucial. "Maui’s hair is one of his powers, so, you know, we had to get the wigs right," he stated.
“I went through 12 wigs,” Johnson told Variety on Tuesday night at the Los Angeles premiere of “Moana” at the Hollywood Bowl. “Maui’s hair is one of his powers, so, you know, we had to get the wigs right.”
Social media buzzed when the first trailer for the live-action film debuted, showcasing the typically bald Johnson with an abundance of brunette hair. Johnson described the online fixation and meme creation as highly amusing.
“I laughed so fucking hard when we first came out, and people saw me in a wig for the first time,” he added. “They memed me. The internet did the internet. It was very, very funny, but I was like, ‘Okay, it’s all right, just see the movie.'”
The live-action "Moana" is directed by Thomas Kail, who previously helmed Disney's theatrical release of "Hamilton." Catherine Laga’ia stars in the titular role alongside Johnson. The cast also includes John Tui, Frankie Adams, Rena Owen, and Jemaine Clement.
The "Moana" franchise has proven successful for Disney, with the original 2016 film grossing $643 million worldwide and becoming a highly-viewed title on Disney+. Its 2024 sequel achieved over $1 billion globally and set a record for the highest gross over a Thanksgiving weekend with $225 million. A third installment, "Moana 3," is reportedly in development, with writers Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller attached.
The live-action "Moana" is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 9.
Featured names
- Dwayne Johnson
- Laughed When
- Hollywood Bowl
- Richard Linklater
- Cannes Breakout
- Annecy Screening
- Catherine Laga
- Frankie Adams
- Jemaine Clement
- Werner Herzog
- Bucking Fastard
- Festival Invite
- Denied Competition
- First Reactions
- Christopher Nolan
- Flawless Filmmaking
- Taylor Swift
- Plagiarism Lawsuit
- Florida Judge
- Dismisses Case
- With Prejudice
- The Last Airbender
- Drops Intense
- First Trailer
- Staffers Fear
- World Premiere
- Including Zendaya
- Tilly Norwood
- Marking Feature
- Kevin Costner
- New Restored
- Filming Secret
- Movie Reviving
- Beloved Character
- Mariska Hargitay
- Hottest Soccer
- Jude Bellingham
- Christian Pulisic
- David Harbour
- Stranger Things
- Jennifer Aniston
- The Emmy Winners
- Funniest Moments
- Learning About
- Making Another
- Erivo Survived
- People Thought
- Alcock Learned
- Seydoux Transforms
- The Cannes Icon
- Festival Return
- Championing Denis
- Variety Newsletters
- Every Country
- An Acclaimed
- Photographer Updated
- Old Hamptons
- Goofiest Lawsuit
- Festival Cannes
- Breakout Comedy
- Podcast Every
- Country Star
- Explained An
- Acclaimed Photographer
- Updated This
