Amid the turquoise swells of Oahu’s North Shore and the swaying palms that whisper legends of the Pacific, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has transformed once more, stepping into the skin of a shape-shifting demigod with a physique that’s as commanding as the ocean itself. On November 22, 2025, set photos from Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Moana leaked online, offering the first tantalizing glimpse of Johnson as Maui: long, curly locks cascading like a Polynesian waterfall, a full-body tattoo sleeve that gleams like ancient incantations, and a buff, bronzed torso that ripples with the power of a thousand tidal waves. Spotted filming a high-seas sequence on one of Hawaii’s most iconic beaches, Johnson—dripping with seawater and charisma—embodies the boisterous, boastful demigod who stole hearts in the 2016 animated smash. At 53, the former WWE powerhouse looks every inch the mythical hook-wielding hero, his transformation a testament to the film’s commitment to cultural authenticity and visual spectacle. With production in full swing and a July 10, 2026, release date looming, these images aren’t just a sneak peek—they’re a siren call, heralding a remake that’s set to sail Disney’s live-action fleet into uncharted waters of wonder and wanderlust.
The original Moana, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and released in 2016, was nothing short of a cultural cyclone: a $150 million animated odyssey that grossed $687 million worldwide, snagged an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature, and launched a franchise that’s now a billion-dollar behemoth. Voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho as the intrepid island teen and Johnson as the larger-than-life Maui, the film wove Polynesian mythology into a tapestry of self-discovery, environmental ethos, and earworm anthems like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.” It wasn’t just entertainment; it was empowerment—a tale of a young wayfinder defying destiny to restore the heart of Te Fiti, the life-giving goddess whose theft by Maui sparked a generational curse of blight and barren seas. The sequel, Moana 2 (November 2024), expanded the epic with Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear’s fresh score, exploring Moana’s role as a seasoned chief facing a new oceanic odyssey. But the live-action leap, helmed by Tony Award-winner Thomas Kail (Hamilton) and produced by Johnson himself via Seven Bucks Productions, promises to plunge audiences deeper into the mythos: real waves crashing on real shores, tangible tattoos that tell tales of triumph and treachery, and a Moana whose voyage feels visceral, not virtual.
Johnson’s Maui is the remake’s mythic anchor, a role he’s owned since voicing the demigod in the animated originals—booming baritone belting “You’re Welcome” with a bravado that’s equal parts bombast and balm. In the first look photos, captured by on-set paparazzi and swiftly shared across social media, Johnson appears mid-scene: perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Pacific, his long, dark wig—crafted from human hair extensions blended with synthetic waves for that windswept warrior vibe—framing a face etched with determination and a dash of divine mischief. The tattoos, a sprawling masterpiece of Polynesian artistry inked by a team led by Hawaii’s renowned artist Kahi Bradley, cover his torso in intricate motifs: the hook that hooked the sun, a massive manta ray symbolizing his shape-shifting prowess, and ancestral patterns that pay homage to his Samoan roots (Johnson’s grandmother Lia Maivia was a trailblazing wrestler from the islands). His body? A sculpted symphony of strength—broad shoulders honed by hours in a custom gym trailer, abs chiseled like coral cliffs, and biceps that bulge with the effortless power of a man who’s deadlifted elephants for fun. Clad in a simple lava-lava wrap around his waist and little else, Johnson looks every bit the demigod: imposing yet inviting, a force of nature who could wrestle a whirlpool and wink at the waves.
The images, snapped during a pivotal ocean-crossing sequence, show Johnson in full demigod mode: one frame captures him mid-leap, hook raised like a harpoon against the horizon; another has him mid-song, mouth open in that signature roar, with co-star Catherine Lagaʻaia— the 17-year-old Samoan-Australian newcomer stepping into Moana’s moccasins—laughing beside him on a replica voyaging canoe. Lagaʻaia, whose fresh-faced fire and fluent Samoan make her a pitch-perfect heir to Auliʻi Cravalho’s legacy, sports the classic red crop top and beige skirt, her long hair whipping in the wind as if summoned by the sea. The set buzzes with authenticity: canoes carved by Maori craftsmen, costumes woven from traditional tapa cloth, and a crew that includes 80% Pacific Islander talent, ensuring the film’s fidelity to the cultures it celebrates. “Maui’s not just a character; he’s a celebration of our stories,” Johnson posted on Instagram hours after the leaks surfaced, a shirtless selfie from the beach gym tagging the production: “Buff? Maybe. Blessed? Absolutely. #MauiLive #MoanaRemake.” His 400 million followers flooded the comments with fire emojis and fervent pleas—”Take my money now!”—while hashtags like #RockAsMaui and #LiveActionMoana trended globally, amassing 50 million impressions overnight.
This first look arrives at a pivotal port for Johnson, whose 2025 has been a whirlwind of wins and workouts. Fresh off The Smashing Machine, the A24 biopic where he channels UFC legend Mark Kerr’s brutal beauty (streaming on Prime Video since October, earning Golden Globe buzz for his raw, ripped portrayal), Johnson is riding a renaissance wave. Moana‘s animated roots run deep in his veins: the role marked his Disney debut in 2016, a family affair scripted with input from his daughters Jasmine (9) and Tiana (7), who co-starred in a cameo as village kids. “Voicing Maui was magic—now living him? It’s mythology made muscle,” he told Entertainment Tonight in a November 20 exclusive, flexing for the camera with a laugh that echoed his wrestler’s wit. The live-action pivot, greenlit in April 2024 amid Disney’s remake renaissance (The Little Mermaid‘s $569 million splash still rippling), sees Johnson not just starring but steering: as producer alongside Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda (the Hamilton hitmaker returning for original songs). Kail, whose Broadway bonanza brought hip-hop history to life, directs with a deft hand for drama and dance—expect choreography that channels the ocean’s undulations, musical numbers that merge Miranda’s lyrical lilt with Polynesian percussion.
The film’s fidelity to its forebears is fierce: Moana’s quest remains a voyage of valor, the plucky Polynesian princess (Lagaʻaia channeling Cravalho’s courage with a fresh ferocity) sailing beyond the reef to save her island from Te Kā’s fiery fury, enlisting Maui’s aid after his self-serving sun-snatch eons ago. Returning voices-turned-cameos include Rachel House as the wise-cracking Gramma Tala, Temuera Morrison as the steadfast Chief Tui, and Nicole Scherzinger as the no-nonsense Sina. New additions infuse island intrigue: John Tui as Chief Tui in live-action glory, Frankie Adams (The Expanse) as Sina’s spirited strength, and Rena Owen reprising Gramma Tala with a twinkle that’s timeless. The score swells with Miranda’s magic—expect a revamped “You’re Welcome” that’s less cartoon croon and more concert spectacle, Johnson’s baritone booming over ukulele ukases and tribal taunts. Production, which kicked off in May 2025 after a script polish by Jared Bush (Encanto), has ballooned to $250 million, with Hawaii’s harbors and New Zealand’s fjords framing the fantasy. Leaked leaks aside, Disney’s dropped an official teaser November 23: a 30-second sizzle reel of Johnson hook-hauling a heave-ho wave, Lagaʻaia’s eyes alight with ancestral awe, and a tagline that tugs: “The ocean calls. The demigod answers. The legend lives.”
Fan frenzy has been a tidal wave since the set snaps surfaced: #MoanaLiveAction trended with 10 million tweets in 24 hours, fan art flooding DeviantArt with Maui makeovers (Johnson’s tats trending as tattoo templates on Pinterest). TikTok tutorials teach “Maui hooks” for gym gains, while Reddit’s r/Moana swells with speculation—”Will Tamatoa return as a crabby CGI cameo?”—and petitions for Cravalho’s cameo (100K signatures strong). Critics, previewing dailies at D23 Expo’s October sneak, carol the commitment: Variety vows “a remake that respects the reef—Johnson’s Maui muscles myth into majesty,” while The Hollywood Reporter hails Lagaʻaia’s “luminous leap from animation’s shadow.” Detractors dredge remake regrets—”Why not let the cartoon sail solo?”—but even they concede: Johnson’s physicality promises peril that’s palpable, his Maui a monument to muscle and mirth.
For Johnson, this is personal mythology: his Samoan heritage (grandfather Peter Maivia a wrestling legend) infuses Maui with ancestral authenticity, a role he championed since voicing it as a “cultural cornerstone.” “Maui’s my mirror—boastful on the outside, battling beasts within,” he mused in a People profile, crediting the film for family fuel (daughters Jasmine and Tiana visited set, dubbing village voices). His 2025 slate’s a smorgasbord: The Smashing Machine‘s MMA maelstrom, a Rampage sequel rumble, and John Henry & The Blue Fairy whispers. But Moana looms largest—a live-action legacy that laps his Jungle Cruise ($220M) and Jumanji juggernauts ($1.6B combined), eyeing $800M-plus with global appeal (the original’s Mandarin market magic minted $100M). Disney’s remake recipe—The Lion King‘s $1.6B blueprint, Aladdin‘s $1B bounce—bodes blockbuster, especially with Miranda’s melodies and Kail’s kineticism.
As November’s chill yields to December’s dazzle, Johnson’s Maui first look is the gift that keeps on glowing: a demigod demystified, his long hair a lasso to the lore, his buff body a billboard for bravery. In Disney’s dazzling domain, where wishes wash ashore and waves whisper wonders, this live-action legend isn’t just a remake—it’s a restoration, a voyage that vows to voyage beyond the horizon. Stream the teaser on Disney+, mark July 10, 2026, on your mariner’s map, and let The Rock’s return remind you: some stories aren’t retold—they’re reborn, hook, line, and demigod sinker. The ocean’s calling, aloha—and it’s got Johnson’s name etched in every wave.
