The live-action Moana trailer unleashed a surprising debate: fans are fixated on Maui’s wig. Dwayne Johnson says the hair is intentional and “crucial” to preserving the character, and Disney has no plans to change the look as the film heads toward its July 10 release.
What happened
Disney released the first trailer for the live-action Moana on March 23, and social media quickly zeroed in on Dwayne Johnson’s curly wig as Maui. Clips, memes and reaction tweets questioned the prosthetic hair and overall look.
Johnson’s response and production details
Johnson told Entertainment Weekly the wig was “very crucial and important because, in holding onto the integrity of the character from the animated version, Maui was very proud of his hair.” He also explained the team considered digital effects before settling on a physical hairpiece.
- Johnson reportedly sat in the makeup chair two and a half hours daily as artists perfected the wig.
- The Maui costume included a 40-pound prosthetic bodysuit, underscoring the production’s effort to translate the animated look.
Fan and celebrity reaction
Online reaction ranged from playful to critical. Some fans posted that they couldn’t “take The Rock seriously” with the wig, while others mocked the choice as an odd styling decision. Comedian Weird Al Yankovic even shared a screenshot of Johnson on Instagram joking that his team had been told a sequel to his biopic was on hold but “they just keep sending in headshots.”
Despite the noise, reporting indicates Disney and the filmmakers are standing by the creative choices and do not plan to alter Maui’s hair before release.
Why it matters now
Trailer reactions shape pre-release chatter for major studio films. The Maui wig debate highlights how costume and casting details can dominate public conversation ahead of release, for better or worse — potentially affecting marketing momentum and audience expectations ahead of July 10.
Other Pacific headlines (unrelated)
On March 27, Hawaii made national retail headlines when the Ala Moana Neiman Marcus announced it will close, eliminating 161 local jobs. Though the store’s shutdown and the Moana trailer controversy are separate stories, both have kept Pacific-related news in the spotlight this week.
What to expect next
Disney will continue to roll out promotional material in the coming months. Audiences can expect more clips, interviews and featurettes ahead of the July 10 release that may shift or expand the conversation beyond the wig debate.
For now, the wig remains part of the film — defended by its lead and by the studio as an integral choice to keep Maui aligned with his animated roots.