Dwayne Johnson drops bombshell revelation on 'Moana' remake

Dwayne Johnson is no stranger to hard work, but even the action star admits his latest role was a full-on physical challenge. 

The 53-year-old former WWE superstar, reprising his role as the larger-than-life Demigod Maui in the live-action remake of Moana, revealed that his iconic wig alone added a gruelling seven pounds when soaked with water.

Johnson told Entertainment Weekly that getting into character was no quick task. 

His two-and-a-half-hour transformation involved a combination of prosthetics, hair, and a body suit that added an extra 40 pounds to his frame. 

“I didn’t anticipate the prosthetics and the hair and the body. That’s an additional 40 pounds on you,” he said. 

“There’s a freedom when you perform, but I had to adjust to working my emotions through all that weight.”

Director Thomas Kail explained that creating a wig that worked on water was a major consideration. 

The Smashing Machine actor also admitted that slimming down his neck to fit the bodysuit wasn’t an option. 

Maintaining the heavy suit over months, especially in heat, was gruelling. 

“Between takes, there are literally five or six people with fans, opening me up, pulling my hair back.”

While there was talk of using visual effects to recreate Maui, makeup designer Joel Harlow’s handiwork won out. 

Johnson praised the tactile realism, saying, “It moves and breathes with you. That’s the best iteration of this character — and Joel rose to the occasion.”

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