Dwayne Johnson's Transformation as Maui Sparks Mixed Reactions in Live-Action "Moana" Trailer

The official trailer for Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana," featuring Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui, has generated significant attention online. Released on a Monday, the trailer showcases Johnson's transformation into Maui, complete with a curly wig and a 40-pound prosthetic bodysuit. The trailer has garnered 132 million views within its first 24 hours, surpassing other major film trailers, including "Moana 2," "Mufasa," and "Barbie."

Dwayne Johnson transforms into Maui in official live-action 'Moana' trailerVariety Magazine

Despite the impressive view count, the trailer has faced backlash, particularly regarding Johnson's wig and the film's overall visual presentation. Social media users have criticized the wig's appearance, with comments ranging from it being "the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen" to comparisons with Weird Al Yankovic's hairstyle. Additionally, some viewers expressed disappointment over the film's color palette, describing it as "washed out and dull," despite the film not being picture-locked and still undergoing visual effects work.

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The film was shot on location in Oahu, Hawaii, and at Trillith Studios in Atlanta, where visual effects were integrated. Cinematographer Óscar Faura and visual effects supervisor Bill Westenhofer are tasked with blending live-action footage with CGI elements. While the trailer has drawn criticism, insiders suggest that less than 5% of social media mentions were negative, indicating a more favorable reception among parents and fans of Polynesian representation.

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Disney has not commented on the trailer's reception. However, Dwayne Johnson emphasized the importance of the wig in maintaining the character's integrity, stating, "Maui was very proud of his hair. And he had beautiful hair, beautiful demigod hair." He noted that various iterations of the wig were considered before settling on the final design.

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The backlash surrounding the "Moana" trailer is not unique; previous Disney live-action adaptations, such as "Mufasa" and "Snow White," have also faced criticism for their visual styles. Similar reactions were observed with the release of the "Sonic the Hedgehog" trailer in 2019, which prompted significant redesigns after public outcry.

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As the release date approaches on July 10, 2026, the film's ability to resonate with audiences remains to be seen. If it successfully captures the charm of the animated original and addresses viewer concerns, it could achieve significant box office success, similar to other adaptations that have weathered initial criticism.

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• “The wig was very crucial and important because, in holding onto the integrity of the character from the animated version, Maui was very proud of his hair.” — Dwayne Johnson, Actor

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• “I don’t understand how they managed to make Polynesia, of all places, look so washed out and dull.” — Social Media User

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• “I’m more excited about this than my five year old,” — Social Media User

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• “a princess that looks like my people. A piece of my soul returned.” — Social Media User on Polynesian representation

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