Dwayne Johnson says he wore a bodysuit to play Maui in ‘Moana’
The actor said the suit helped the visual effects team bring Maui’s tattoos to life. Disney’s live-action musical is now on Disney+.
Dwayne Johnson wore a 40 pound bodysuit to portray Maui in Disney’s live-action Moana, the actor told E! News, explaining that his filming schedule left no time to change his physique between roles.
Johnson began work on Moana immediately after finishing The Smashing Machine, an independent film in which he portrayed a UFC fighter. He said he was 50 lbs. heavier during that production than at the time of the interview.
Appearing as Maui with that physique had been considered, Johnson said, but he felt the difference would be too great for fans to accept. He also said using the suit made the visual effects work easier because the character’s tattoos come alive.
The musical, now streaming on Disney+, stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana. Johnson returns as Maui after providing the demigod’s voice in the animated movies, this time playing the character on screen.
