Dwayne Johnson has responded to the widespread internet memes about the elaborate wig he wears as Maui in the live-action remake of Disney's Moana. Johnson told Variety that the memes, which humorously critique the wig's volume and appearance, made him laugh "so f***ing hard."
The actor reprises his role as the demigod Maui, whose flowing hair is a prominent feature, alongside his tattoos and muscles. As Johnson himself is bald, a wig was necessary to achieve the character's iconic look. This is not the first time Johnson has donned a wig for a role; he has worn them for characters in projects like "The Smashing Machine" and "The Mummy Returns," where he played the Scorpion King.
The initial trailer for the live-action Moana also faced scrutiny from fans, with some criticizing its heavy use of CGI and desaturated color palette when compared to the original animated film. Reports indicated that Disney was aware of this backlash but decided against making significant creative changes shortly before the movie's release.
According to Variety, Johnson went through 12 different wigs to perfect Maui's appearance. IGN's review of "Moana" gave the film a 6/10, stating that the "frame-by-frame retelling of the Disney animated musical doesn't do enough to justify being made."