Moana director Thomas Kail is addressing two of the biggest talking point surrounding Dwayne Johnson‘s transformation into Maui for Disney’s latest live-action film, namely his wig and his seemingly missing nipples.
Dwayne returned to play the demigod in the adaptation after previously voicing Maui in the original 2016 animated movie and its 2024 sequel.
While speaking with Variety, Thomas was asked whether he had been surprised by the online reaction to Dwayne‘s long, curly wig.
My joke about it was that I mostly saw Dwayne on set, so I didn’t know he was bald. Every time I saw Dwayne, he’s wearing that wig. I was like, ‘Oh, it’s great.’ As the conversation unfolded on the original Moana, pre-2016 when the prospect of Maui, who was going to be played by Dwayne, was presented to the advisors on the film without hair, it was immediately flagged because Maui’s power and spirit comes from his hair. Maui without hair is not Maui. So we knew Maui had to have it. It’s a different experience when you see it in a two-minute trailer. When folks have been watching the movie, you sort of say ‘there’s Maui,’ and then you don’t think about it.
On Maui’s seemingly missing nipples
Thomas also responded after viewers noticed that Maui’s nipples sometimes appear to be absent beneath his extensive tattoos.
“I can’t speak to much to the discourse and controversy around his nipples, other than he has them and sometimes you don’t see them,” the filmmaker told The Wrap.
The outlet noted that Dwayne wore a specially designed suit over his chest containing Maui’s tattoos and enhanced musculature. Thomas explained that multiple versions were needed because the production frequently moved between scenes filmed in and out of the water.
The new movie opened in theaters on Friday, July 10.
Find out if Moana actress Catherine Laga’aia is really singing in the movie!
Posted To:Disney Dwayne Johnson Moana Movies Thomas Kail
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