Johnson reprises his role from the original animated film, portraying the egotistical shapeshifter Maui. A key characteristic of Maui is his long, flowing hair, symbolizing his unbound personality and virility. This presents a challenge for Johnson, who is famously bald and known for his shaved head in many iconic roles, including his appearances in the Fast & Furious, Baywatch, and Jumanji franchises.
To bridge this visual discrepancy, Johnson is sporting a wig for the Moana role. This decision has led to a wave of online commentary and memes. Social media reactions have described Johnson's wig as appearing to be 'fighting gravity, the wind, and its own contract obligations' and resembling 'a shake-n-go wig from Spirit Halloween.' Some users have even suggested it 'deserves its own credit in the movie.'
Johnson has reportedly taken the internet's reaction in stride. He told a red carpet reporter that the memes made him laugh "so fucking hard."
This is not the first time Johnson has worn a wig for a film. In his previous release, 2025's The Smashing Machine, he wore a wig to accurately portray Mark Kerr. However, that appearance did not generate the same level of online mockery, potentially due to the extensive prosthetics Johnson wore that significantly altered his overall appearance.
Looking further back, Johnson also wore a wig in the 2001 film The Mummy Returns. The article speculates on why that wig did not face similar ridicule, considering factors such as Johnson's then-retained hair, the wig's perceived density, or perhaps the notoriously poor CGI in that film leading audiences to largely forget its details.
Ultimately, the discussion focuses not on Johnson wearing wigs, but on the specific nature of the Maui wig in Moana. The current wig is described as having an 'artificial' quality, looking as though it was made from nylon and purchased from a market stall, giving the impression that it is itchy and uncomfortable.
Featured names
- Dwayne Johnson
- Spirit Halloween
- The Smashing Machine
- The Mummy Returns
