Dwayne Johnson Explains How 40-Pound Suit Transformed Him for Moana

Dwayne Johnson Shares Why His ‘Moana’ Role Was "Jarring" for His Kids

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson thinks fans will be saying "you're welcome" after seeing his body transformation in Moana.

The 54-year-old—who is known for using his fitness routines to embody characters in movies like Black Adam and Baywatch following his legendary career as a WWE wrestler—explained the reason why becoming Maui for the live-action iteration of the Disney hit, premiering in theaters July 10, required 40 pounds worth of special effects.

"It was a suit, and it was crazy because I went from Smashing Machine and I was 50 pounds heavier than I am now," Johnson exclusively told E! News’ Will Marfuggi, referencing his role portraying UFC fighter Mark Kerr. "From Smashing Machine, I went directly on set with Catie,” referring to his Moana costar Catherine Laga'aia, "so I had no time to change my body."

Given Johnson's "jacked" physique for the 2025 film featuring Emily Blunt, the movie's team debated if Johnson could play Maui without utilizing prosthetics. However, staying loyal to die-hard fans of the animated franchise—which first debuted in 2016 with him voicing Maui—pushed the filmmakers in a different direction.

"We were considering me just stepping on set how I looked in the Smashing Machine, but the body was just intensely different," Johnson elaborated. "We are the keepers of integrity, but also the fans are keepers of integrity, and if I stepped on set looking like how I looked, they would have had a complete organ rejection."

"We went with this amazing suit [made by] Joel Harlow, who's an Academy Award-winner," Johnson continued, crediting the makeup department head for creating the movie magic that he summed up with a laugh as, "40 pounds of suit that was hot as s--t!"

And the creative choice came with another visual bonus for the audience, in addition to gifting Johnson with Maui's particular set of muscles.

"It also worked out great because of visual effects, because the tattoos are alive," Johnson explained of Maui's traditional Polynesian body art. "So it was easier for [the visual effects team] and a better treat for audiences to see it on the suit."

Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Netflix

However, looking the part was only half the battle in bringing the fan-favorite story to life after all these years. Johnson and Laga'aia, as well as cast mates John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owen, were also responsible for starring in the movie's musical numbers.

"These are iconic songs that are beloved, and this is our live-action version, so you got to step up to the plate," Johnson emphasized when reflecting on the choreography he performed alongside Laga'aia. "And you feel the pressure. You gotta bring the A-plus-plus game to this thing. And you gotta have a great partner. That's what I had."

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