Dwayne Johnson Films Live-Action ‘Moana’ in Hawaii: Photos

Dwayne Johnson is bringing Maui to the real world.

The actor, 52, appeared in costume on the set of Disney’s live-action reimagining Moana for the first time in Hawaii on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Johnson wore a grass skirt, long black wig and the tattoos of his demigod character Maui as he filmed scenes along a beach, with a boat used for filming seen in photos from the set.

Disney and Johnson first announced that 2016’s Moana would receive a live-action adaptation during the company’s April 2023 shareholder meeting.

The new movie has Auli’i Cravalho, who voices the title character in the animated movies, as an executive producer. Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia was cast to star in the live-action version alongside Johnson.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” Laga’aia said in a statement at the time of her casting in June. “My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa.”

“I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me,” she added.

In July, Johnson shared in an Instagram post that production on the live-action Moana was slated to begin in August and shared news regarding the rest of the movie’s cast.

John Tui, who held a role in Johnson’s NBC series Young Rock, will play Moana’s father Chief Tui. Frankie Adams will play Moana’s mom Sina, while Rena Owen will play her grandmother, Gramma Tala.

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Moana 2 furthers the animated characters’ stories and sees 23-year-old Cravalho reprise her voice role as the fictional Polynesian Disney princess.

“When life gets tough ~ if you wanna get through it, you just gotta CHEE HOOO it,” Johnson wrote in an Instagram post Nov. 19, as he displayed moments from the upcoming animated film.

“Thank you all so much for the anticipation and excitement for our #Moana2. Our epic journey begins in theaters on THANKSGIVING DAY. and special shout out to the little forces known as the Moana-be’s.”

The live-action Moana is set to hit theaters July 10, 2026. Moana 2 is in theaters Nov. 27.