'It's a lot of hair': Dwayne Johnson recalls daughters reaction to his long-haired Maui look for Moana

Dwayne Johnson. Pic via special arrangements

Actor Dwayne Johnson is stepping back into the world of Moana, but this time he is not just lending his voice to the beloved demigod Maui. The actor, popularly known as The Rock, will portray the larger-than-life character in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation, and one aspect of his transformation has already become a talking point - his long flowing locks.

While fans have been busy sharing their reactions to Johnson's dramatically different look, it turns out his toughest critics were much closer to home. The actor recently opened up about how his daughters reacted when they first saw him dressed as Maui for the live-action film.

Speaking in a recent interview, Johnson revealed that the sight of him with a full head of long hair left his daughters momentarily stunned. "The first time they saw me as Maui, they were like, 'Oh,'" he recalled. The actor added that the look took some getting used to for his family, saying, "It was jarring for them for maybe 10 minutes. Just to see me with hair, and I get it, it's a lot of hair."

The Rock returns as Maui

Johnson famously voiced Maui in Disney's 2016 animated hit and its sequel, making him a natural choice to bring the character to life in the live-action version. The trailers have already offered a glimpse of the actor fully embracing Maui's larger-than-life personality, complete with his signature tattoos, humour and flowing hair.

The upcoming film stars Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, with Johnson reprising one of Disney's most popular modern characters. The live-action adaptation aims to recreate the magic of the original while introducing the story to a new generation of viewers.

Moana release date

Directed by Thomas Kail, the film is backed by an impressive creative team that includes Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda among the producers.

The movie will also feature original songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina, while Mancina has composed the score.

Disney's live-action Moana is set to release in cinemas across India on July 10, 2026, in both English and Hindi. The film promises to bring back the adventure, music and heart that made the animated original a global favourite.