Dwayne Johnson confirms he wore a bodysuit in live-action Moana after set photos emerge: ‘S—, we got caught’

Dwayne Johnson’s Demigod Transformation

It’s not easy to realize, but even a very muscular person like Dwayne Johnson needs little assistance in appearing as a presence fitting for a demigod. The Hollywood actor voiced the role of the charming, Polynesian God Maui in the animated film Moana, its sequel, and recently he posted a picture revealing what his character, Maui, would look like in live-action rather fitting for the mighty demigod.
“That’s a suit that took a long time to put on”, Johnson explained during the interview as to why he looks so massive and has such muscular arms. When asked whether he had aimed for bulking up for the character, Johnson’s answer was favorable. . “I’m so happy that you said, ‘You bulked up,’ because when you said, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell,” he stated, in obvious amazement at the ability of the suit and its design to transform his ethereal look.

Most importantly, Johnson testified without a doubt giving full credit to Joel Harlow, the makeup artist who created the complex Maui suit. “That is a couple of hours every day, of transforming, putting that on,” Johnson further explained, while putting the focus on the amount of work that went into achieving the look. Johnson has had a professional relationship with Harlow ever since he won an Academy Award for his work in a Star Trek (2009) production. They have worked together in many blockbuster projects, including Jungle Cruise, Black Adam, and Red One, establishing Harlow’s skill of portraying characters way beyond our reality. This was not simply a costume, or only a performer’s get up, the Maui suit was a tremendous piece of work crafted to depict the body of a demigod that required time and skill to create.

The Art of Transformation

Transforming into Maui was no easy task for Johnson, despite his already impressive build and commanding presence. The process involved hours of preparation each day, as Harlow and his team meticulously applied the suit to ensure it looked both natural and imposing. This dedication to detail paid off, allowing Johnson to convincingly embody the character’s essence while honoring Maui’s iconic stature. Johnson’s commitment to the role extended beyond physical transformation. His enthusiasm for bringing Maui to life in a live-action format was matched by his determination to make the character feel authentic and larger-than-life, ensuring that fans of the animated original would not be disappointed.

The integration that Harlow had within his working with Johnson demonstrates that creative working towards a common goal is part of their story. In relation to Moana for example, he was surely able to add something unique to his most iconic characters as Johnson possesses many roles. But in this case, it went further than just technical aspects as detailing the deeper meaning of who Maui is within the story and within a culture itself was of paramount importance. The suit enabled Johnson to define his role in the movie but most importantly brought out the power of collaboration in the movie making process. With Harlow’s art and Johnson acting, Maui was able to look fantastic and capture the essence of the original film as well.

Anticipation for Live-Action Moana

With Johnson’s transformation into Maui, the anticipation for Live-Action Moana got further boosts. The audience cannot wait to experience the animated story in a different perspective and with Johnston’s commitment towards the character, expectation from the movie remains high. With Harlow combining magic behind the camera and Johnson oozing charm, the reimagined theme boasts to be so adventurous and emotional as the story has never been told before. As Johnson strives to reinvent himself over and over, his portrayal of Maui is poised to become another standout moment in a career filled with iconic roles. Live-action Moana is not just about the recreation of the animation—it’s creativity, originality, or in other words—magic.

Dwayne Johnson explained how the filming of Moana, the live-action version, was flooded with drama when the attempts to keep the filming environment secret did not go as planned. Even after making attempts to secure the film set, the pictures of Johnson dressed as Maui were somehow leaked. “We shot outside, and when those pictures surfaced, I was like, ‘S—, we got caught!’” Dwayne Johnson confessed while laughing. In order to further the mystery of how Maui would appear, the crew made walls to prevent the sight of the paparazzi, but ingenious photographers managed to get around that. “They got in the boats and started shooting pictures,” Johnson explained the unreasonable frenzy that surrounded the awaited film.

The Shift from Animation to Live Action

Maui’s animated character was voiced by Johnson, but playing the character on screen live was a different ball game. As he looks back, he said, “I have a handle on who Maui is: I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration, I can access things, you got it.” Johnson had spent years of voicing the pompous demigod and thus could easily fathom out the personality and the motives of the character. But, as he stepped on to the set, dressed as the live-action Maui, Johnson became aware of the fact that there is more to the character than just looks, but a whole personality. “I realized right away, ‘Oh, wow. This is different,’” he said.

 The live-action format, with its tangible and humanized approach, required Dwayne Johnson to reimagine Maui as a flesh-and-blood being rather than a larger-than-life animation. “It becomes real all of a sudden. So then it’s almost like getting into my grandfather’s skin,” he remarked, emphasizing how the role took on a deeply personal and authentic dimension.

The transition from animation to live action required Johnson to tap into a different set of skills to portray Maui convincingly. Physicality of the role, combined with the emotional depth required to bring the character to life, pushed Johnson to new creative heights. Unlike voice acting, where facial expressions and body language are less critical, live-action Maui demanded a fully immersive performance. The reference to his grandfather adds a poignant layer to Johnson’s performance. Known for often drawing inspiration from his family, Johnson’s mention of “getting into my grandfather’s skin” reflects a deeper connection to Maui’s cultural and personal roots. This approach allowed Dwayne Johnson to honor both his character and his own heritage, ensuring that Maui felt authentic and meaningful in the live-action adaptation.

Anticipation and Authenticity

With the excitement for the live-action Moana builds, Johnson’s unguarded comments provide insight into the amount of work and the way he approaches the Maui character. Johnson’s approach to his role incorporates everything from dealing with challenges on set to expanding the character’s possibilities. Johnson’s transition from animation to real-life depiction of the character appears to have been quite dramatic and his enthusiasm for the character accentuates the need for constructing a narrative that will appeal to multiple generations. Live-action Moana retains the elements of love, humor, and cultural nuances along with the new elements that will do justice to the story Moana promises to put across.

As part of a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, Dwayne Johnson opened up on what the character of Maui means to him. Johnson said he was quick to develop a rapport with the rambunctious demigod as he recollected how he said: “When I got to Maui, I was like, ‘Okay, I know who this is.’” For Johnson, however, Maui is not just a bigger than life character the viewers are first presented with.  He described Maui as a character who thrives on being the center of attention—a showman who loves to sing, dance, and make people feel good.

However, beneath the surface lies a more complex and vulnerable side. “There’s a lot that’s brewing deep down that, eventually, he is going to have to contend with,” Johnson shared. Drawing a vivid analogy, he compared Maui’s internal struggles to a ball held underwater: “Eventually, you’ve got to let the ball go, and it’s going to explode.” This layered portrayal highlights the depth Johnson seeks to bring to Maui, making him more than just a charismatic entertainer.

Encouraging Vulnerability Through Maui

One of the primary messages that Johnson seeks to communicate through Maui, more so in Moana 2, is the strength in vulnerability. The actor hopes that the trajectory of Maui will help the viewers extend their moments of vulnerability and seek for assistance if need be. “It’s an important moment for people to see that you can be strong, you can be big, you can be independent, but it’s okay to ask for help,” Johnson elucidated. This is a true statement, for it is known that even the strongest people need some assistance. There is much that is understood about these words from the perspective of the Johnson. No wonder, there is a culture where to be vulnerable is a weakness. “When you do finally ask for help, the universe and your loved ones have a way of meeting you halfway,” he noted.

Through Maui, Dwayne Johnson seeks to demonstrate how times have come when assistance is no longer regarded as a liability, it’s strength and bravery that gets one the assistance. “Again, by feeling through Maui’s generosity in Moana 2 as portrayed in the film, Johnson is hoping to communicate something much wider than the particulars of the story. Maui’s capability of dealing with his inner struggles and asking for help demonstrates, first of all, the need to be self-aware and connected. This choice of the plot is in line with the general ideas of the Moana story where bonding, bravery and personal growth are central.

Looking Ahead

In his musings, Dwayne Johnson explains how important it is for him to provide that Maui will be a fascinating and motivational figure. The demi-god’s defeats and his victories do resemble the sequences that so many endure and make the story believable. For him, the character of Maui does not only serve the purpose of pleasing the eyes of the viewer, it enables the viewer to embrace their own weaknesses and their loved ones for support. ”

While audiences are currently sitting in cinemas watching Moana 2, fans’ eyes are already riveted to the July 10, 2026 premiere of the live-action version of Moana. Johnson’s take on Maui in the live action film is bound to go deeper than the animated sequel which was already focused on the emotional aspect. Moving to live action also provides the space to develop Maui’s character more, making his trials and development even more authentic. In both the animated and live action features, Johnson has been steadfast in ensuring that the full essence of the character Maui is retained. Their portrayal gives a different perspective on how even invincible characters, either fictitious or real, are molded with the capability to go through internal conflicts and search for assistance when necessary.