Dwayne Johnson has shared new details about the demanding transformation process behind his return as Maui in Disney’s upcoming live action adaptation of Moana.
The actor, who originally voiced the fan-favorite demigod in the 2016 animated film, will once again portray Maui on screen alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana.
Dwayne Johnson wore a 40 pound prosthetic suit
In a recent interview, Dwayne Johnson revealed that he wore a custom-made 40 pound prosthetic bodysuit to recreate Maui’s iconic appearance for the live action film.
The actor explained that he had recently completed filming The Smashing Machine, where he portrayed former UFC fighter Mark Kerr and had gained significant weight for the role.
Because of the tight production schedule, Johnson said there was not enough time to physically transform again before Moana filming began.
Production focused on preserving Maui’s iconic look
According to Johnson, the filmmakers briefly considered using his natural physique from his previous project. However, the production team ultimately decided that Maui’s recognizable appearance was too important to change.
To achieve the final look, the production collaborated with Oscar-winning makeup artist Joel Harlow to design a detailed prosthetic suit.
The costume also helped visual effects teams recreate Maui’s magical animated tattoos, which remain one of the character’s signature features.
The demanding costume created challenges on set
While praising the craftsmanship behind the suit, Dwayne Johnson admitted that wearing it during filming was physically exhausting because of its weight and heat.
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The actor described the filming experience as intense, especially while performing scenes under demanding production conditions.
Disney’s live action Moana is already among the studio’s most anticipated upcoming projects, with audiences eager to see Maui and Moana return in a completely new format.
