Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is turning heads with his striking new look.
The 55-year-old actor was recently spotted in Hawaii, fully transformed into his character Maui while filming the live-action remake of Disney’s Moana. In costume, Johnson bore an uncanny resemblance to his animated counterpart from the 2016 original.
During the November 21 shoot, Dwayne showcased his muscular physique, going shirtless to reveal his defined abs and a full chest of tattoos.
He donned a traditional Ti leaf skirt and forearm guards, completing the ensemble with a whale-tooth necklace and a long wig styled in a half-up look.
Adding to the authenticity, the Red One star—who also voiced Maui in the original animated film and its upcoming sequel—was seen wielding the character’s iconic fishhook.
While the full array of costumes for the film remains under wraps, the cast accompanying Johnson has already been revealed.
Back in June, Disney announced that Catherine Laga’aia would star as Moana, with John Tui playing her father, Chief Tui.
Dwayne Johnson Transformation For Moana (Photo: Backgrid)
Additionally, Frankie Adams will portray Moana’s mother, Sina, while Rena Owen takes on the role of Gramma Tala.
For Catherine, landing the role is a profound honor. “I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples,” she said in a June statement to Disney. “And to represent young girls who look like me.”
Dwayne, who is a proud father to daughters Jasmine, 8, and Tiana, 6, with wife Lauren Hashian, and Simone, 23, with ex-wife Dany Garcia, shares Catherine’s passion for inspiring young girls. The actor has often spoken about the empowering themes of the Moana franchise.
“I think that the main thing about Moana is this idea of female empowerment,” he previously told. “This idea that we always say, ‘What’s it like being on the reef and looking beyond the reef?’”
With Moana 2 set to release on November 27, Johnson is especially impressed with how the sequel builds upon these themes.
“It’s this idea that what people like to do—especially to young girls—is kind of constrain them,” he explained. “They try to mold them into, ‘You can only be so much.’ But in Moana 2, you can actually be anything you want.”
The live-action Moana remake, set for release on July 10, 2026, promises to bring these empowering messages to a new generation while celebrating the beauty and resilience of Pacific Island cultures.
