‘Moana‘ made a strong return at CinemaCon, but one statement from Dwayne Johnson quickly became the real highlight.
As Disney revealed a new look at the live-action remake, Johnson focused on explaining what masculinity should look like in today’s world. And interestingly, his words completely change how people may see Maui’s role in Moana’s journey.
Dwayne Johnson Doesn’t Think Of Maui As the Hero in ‘Moana’
At CinemaCon, Johnson spoke about what the character means to him. He said, “The animated version was just an amazing experience for us as Polynesian people. Maui has been with me for over a decade, and to have the opportunity to bring this powerful and vulnerable demigod to life means so much to me.”
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Soon after, Johnson used this moment to explain how he sees Maui today. Instead of presenting him as the main hero, Johnson clearly positioned Maui as someone who supports Moana’s journey. He said, “The hero of our story is not a princess; she’s a warrior.” With this, he made it clear that Moana leads the story, not Maui.
Then, Johnson added, “All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks like.” He made it pretty clear that Maui’s role is to guide and support, not to take over.
Johnson’s Earlier Views Show a Deeper Meaning Behind His Words
This is not the first time Johnson has opened up about masculinity. In an earlier interview, he explained, “Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, ‘This is what I’m feeling, and it’s okay.'”
He also made it clear that asking for help is not a weakness. In fact, he said, “The idea of asking for help is actually a superpower.” Johnson openly shared that he is not afraid to reach out when he needs support.
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At the same time, he challenged common ideas about masculinity. He said, “Masculinity, to me, is not being tough. It’s not being a badass,” and added, “Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, ‘This is what I’m feeling, and it’s okay. Here’s my chest. I’ll gladly rip it open to someone who can help me.’”
He also explained how he connected with Maui from the start. When he was first offered the role, he said, “I was like, ‘Okay, I know who this is.’” He described Maui as someone who appears confident and entertaining on the outside but carries deeper emotions within. He compared it to holding a ball underwater; it will eventually rise and explode if ignored.
Johnson added that his portrayal of Maui shows that strength and vulnerability can exist together. He said, “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,” and also added, “When you do finally ask for help, the universe and your loved ones have a way of meeting you halfway. Even the strongest of people need help.”
The original Moana earned $680 million worldwide. After that, it became one of Disney+’s most-watched titles. Now, the live-action remake becomes another big test for Disney. This time, Johnson also reunites with Moana in the sequel alongside Auliʻi Cravalho. He shared that the story begins with Maui getting himself into trouble again, as he usually does.
However, the dynamic between the two characters changes. Cravalho explained that they feel more like equals now, with less hierarchy between demigod and human, and more trust in each other’s decisions.
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