Disney Slammed by Fans as Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Moana’ Live-Action Look Spreads Online
The trailer for the live-action Moana dropped on March 23, and it quickly sparked a huge debate online. Fans were excited to see the island world of Motunui come to life, but many immediately criticized Dwayne Johnson’s look as the demigod Maui.
Most of the comments focused on Johnson’s hair and overall appearance. Fans were especially critical of the wig he wore, as people are used to seeing him bald. One social media user wrote, “A non-bald Dwayne Johnson feels so wrong.” Another added, “It’s not that he isn’t bald. It’s that they made no effort to make that wig look good.”
Critics didn’t stop at the hair. Some questioned whether a live-action Moana was needed at all. One fan called Johnson’s look “a cosplay gone wrong,” while another compared the 2016 animated Maui with the new footage, asking, “Besides the tattoo, where is the resemblance?”
New look at Dwayne Johnson as Maui on the set of Disney’s new live-action ‘Moana’ film. pic.twitter.com/9nneGbVhxe
— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) November 21, 2024
Another point of criticism was Johnson’s bodysuit, which he used to achieve Maui’s massive proportions instead of gaining weight naturally. Paparazzi photos from the Hawaii set even showed a “visible zip” at his neckline, leading to comments like, “The neckline at the necklace is a giveaway,” as some felt the suit’s muscles looked fake.
Johnson has defended the work of Oscar-winning makeup artist Joel Harlow, who created the detailed suit. In a past interview, he explained, “That’s a suit that took a long time to put on. I’m so happy that you said, ‘You bulked up,’ because when you said, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell.”
Animation ➡️ Live-Action.
— Nexus Point News (@NexusPointNews) March 23, 2026
Dwayne Johnson as Maui in the live-action ‘MOANA’.
In theaters July 10. pic.twitter.com/KTEAxi4FBv
Catherine Laga‘aia, the actress playing Moana, has also faced criticism. Fans noticed her hair looked much straighter and more polished than the natural curls seen in the 2016 animated film. One fan wrote, “How do they think someone who lives on an island with saltwater and no electricity would have hair that looks blow-dried like that?”
Despite the backlash, Disney’s live-action Moana is still highly anticipated. The movie is set to premiere on July 10 and is directed by Thomas Kail. The screenplay promises to expand on the original story while keeping the musical spirit alive. Catherine Laga‘aia, daughter of Jay Laga‘aia, steps into the lead role, with Auli‘i Cravalho, the original Moana voice, serving as an executive producer.
Outside of Moana, Dwayne Johnson has been busy with other projects. He recently starred in the A24 biographical drama The Smashing Machine, portraying MMA legend Mark Kerr, a role that also required a full physical transformation and facial prosthetics.
As the release date approaches, the filmmakers will be paying close attention to fan reactions about the characters and visual effects. Many hope the live-action movie can capture the magic of the original film despite the early criticism.
What do you think about Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga‘aia in the live-action Moana? Share your thoughts in the comments
