Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as The Rock, has spoken about “real masculinity” and the importance of supporting women while presenting new footage from Disney’s upcoming live-action ‘Moana’ at CinemaCon.
The actor, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui, addressed theatre owners during Disney’s showcase at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where the studio unveiled an extended look at the remake. Johnson reflected on his long-standing connection to the character, which he first voiced in the 2016 animated original.
He said Maui holds personal significance, noting that the character was partly inspired by his grandfather, Samoan wrestler Peter Maivia. Johnson also shared a photo of him with the audience, drawing applause.
Introducing newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, who plays Moana, Johnson praised the character as a “warrior” rather than a traditional princess. He added that his role as Maui is to guide and empower her throughout the story.
Johnson also made a wider point about gender roles, saying that “real masculinity” is about supporting and championing women of all ages.
The live-action Moana, directed by Thomas Kail, retells the story of a young girl who sails across the ocean to save her island with help from Maui. The original film was a global success, earning around $680 million at the box office and later becoming one of Disney+’s most popular titles.
Disney’s live-action adaptations have seen mixed results in recent years, with some remakes performing strongly at the box office while others underperform. The new Moana will be closely watched as the studio continues expanding its live-action slate.
