Dwayne Johnson wore 40 pounds of prosthetics to play Maui in live-action Moana
The first full trailer for the live-action Moana movie was released earlier today, giving fans a good look at Dwayne Johnson as Maui, complete with his long flowing locks. Not something we’re used to seeing with the actor. You may also have noticed the prosthetic bodysuit, which apparently wasn’t the easiest thing to wear.
Dwayne Johnson on Maui Bodysuit
While chatting with Entertainment Weekly, Johnson said it took “about two and a half hours every day” to transform into Maui. With the bodysuit and the wig, he was carrying an extra 40 pounds.
“The thing that became a challenge, that I had to work through very quickly, that I didn’t anticipate was the prosthetics and the hair and then the body. That is an additional 40 pounds on you,” he explained. “There’s a freedom when you perform, whether it’s as an actor or singing. So that was an adjustment on how to actually work my emotions through the 40 pounds of prosthetics and hair and body that I had on me.“
Johnson added that at one point, there was talk of using visual effects to bring Maui’s body to life, but they quickly realized a real bodysuit was the way to go. “It moves and breathes with you,” he said. “So we thought the best iteration of this was, let’s go for it, let’s challenge [Makeup designer Joel Harlow], and he rose to the occasion.“
Although the bodysuit gave Johnson the added bulk, he still needed to maintain his physique. “Maui was a big guy, and I couldn’t lose the weight because when you lose weight, you lose it here,” he said while pointing to his neck. “I couldn’t have a big bodysuit and then a small little skinny neck. Forty, 50 pounds is a lot to put on. Then it’s a lot to maintain for months… It was grueling because of the suit and how hot it was. Wait till you see pictures. In between takes, there’s literally five, six people, all [with] fans, opening me up, pulling my hair back.“
Cast & Crew
Alongside Johnson as Maui, the live-action film stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana; John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams, who portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala.
Thomas Kail (Hamilton) directs the film, with Jared Bush, who wrote the animated original, returning to pen the screenplay for the live-action remake alongside Dana Ledoux Miller. The film is set to hit theaters on July 10.
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