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"Dwayne Johnson Transforms into Maui: You Won’t Believe the Weight of His Epic Transformation!"

Added on March 24, 2026 inFree Entertainment News, Free Movie News

The first full trailer for the live-action Moana movie dropped today, and boy, does it whisk us away to a world of adventure and transformation! Dwayne Johnson, sporting a majestic mane as Maui, is definitely not the usual look we’re used to from the actor. Have you ever wondered how much effort goes into embodying a larger-than-life character? Well, for Johnson, it seems the answer is a hefty 40-pound prosthetic bodysuit that he had to navigate for hours each day! Talk about commitment! As we dive deeper into the film’s preparation, we also get some hilarious insight into the challenges of performing while feeling like you’re wearing a personal sauna. Get ready to embrace the journey as Moana hits theaters on July 10! If you’re itching for more juicy details about this heavenly transformation, just click on this link—LEARN MORE.

The first full trailer for the live-action Moana movie was released earlier today, giving fans a good look at Dwayne Johnson as Maui, complete with his long flowing locks. Not something we’re used to seeing with the actor. You may also have noticed the prosthetic bodysuit, which apparently wasn’t the easiest thing to wear.

Dwayne Johnson on Maui Bodysuit

While chatting with Entertainment Weekly, Johnson said it took “about two and a half hours every day” to transform into Maui. With the bodysuit and the wig, he was carrying an extra 40 pounds.

The thing that became a challenge, that I had to work through very quickly, that I didn’t anticipate was the prosthetics and the hair and then the body. That is an additional 40 pounds on you,” he explained. “There’s a freedom when you perform, whether it’s as an actor or singing. So that was an adjustment on how to actually work my emotions through the 40 pounds of prosthetics and hair and body that I had on me.

Johnson added that at one point, there was talk of using visual effects to bring Maui’s body to life, but they quickly realized a real bodysuit was the way to go. “It moves and breathes with you,” he said. “So we thought the best iteration of this was, let’s go for it, let’s challenge [Makeup designer Joel Harlow], and he rose to the occasion.

Although the bodysuit gave Johnson the added bulk, he still needed to maintain his physique. “Maui was a big guy, and I couldn’t lose the weight because when you lose weight, you lose it here,” he said while pointing to his neck. “I couldn’t have a big bodysuit and then a small little skinny neck. Forty, 50 pounds is a lot to put on. Then it’s a lot to maintain for months… It was grueling because of the suit and how hot it was. Wait till you see pictures. In between takes, there’s literally five, six people, all [with] fans, opening me up, pulling my hair back.

Cast & Crew

Alongside Johnson as Maui, the live-action film stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana; John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams, who portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala.

Thomas Kail (Hamilton) directs the film, with Jared Bush, who wrote the animated original, returning to pen the screenplay for the live-action remake alongside Dana Ledoux Miller. The film is set to hit theaters on July 10.

Source:
Entertainment Weekly
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