Dwayne Johnson mercilessly mocked for his unconvincing wig in the live-action Moana movie

Published: 09:20 EDT, 25 March 2026 | Updated: 09:22 EDT, 25 March 2026

e-mail

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has been lampooned for his wig in the live-action Moana trailer which dropped on Monday.

The Rock, 53, has taken on the role of Maui in the upcoming adaptation - the same character he also voiced in the original animated film and the 2024 sequel.

The two-minute video featured a glimpse into some of the characters coming to life including the titular character Moana, played by 19-year-old Catherine Laga'aia.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Mocked: Dwayne Johnson has been lampooned for his wig in the live-action Moana trailer

Role: He plays the demigod Maui in the movie. Seen in January in Palm Springs

Johnson is introduced halfway through the trailer as he plays the demigod Maui who has the unique power to shapeshift into different creatures with a magical fish hook.

But social media users were were more concerned about his wavy wig.

One wrote on X: 'They really just slapped on a wig and called it a day,' while another added: 'It's so rare seeing him with hair.'

A third asked: 'Who did ur wig sis?'

And someone else said: 'We didn't need a live action movie but let's see how it goes though, the trailer looks nice except for D'Rock in a wig. That looks funny.'

A fifth added: 'CGI slop! Rock's wig looks stupid!' and someone else said: 'I hate this wig on you sis no maam.'

Bizarre: Fans jumped to social media to share their thoughts on the star's wavy wig

Another fan wrote: 'Okay! Gonna be real! The Rock looks super goofy in this! Like really really goofy! I'd love if we just got an Authentic Animated Disney movie like the good ol' days!

'Bring back stuff like Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Disney Freaking Dinosaurs for all I care! But no more Live Action Remakes! Just Live Action New Titles, or New IP's in general!' they added.

On Instagram, another typed: 'We've told all the casting agents that the Weird Al biopic sequel is currently on hold, but they just keep sending in headshots,' along with a still of Johnson in the live-action trailer.

Johnson voiced the character of Maui in the 2016 original animated movie as well as the sequel which hit theaters in 2024

Johnson spoke to Extra about stepping onto the set of the live-action remake for the first time and said the moment was 'eye-opening.'

He explained: 'I have a handle on who Maui is. I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it.'

But he added: 'The moment I stepped on set' of the upcoming adaptation, 'I realized right away, "Oh, wow, this is different," in terms of this is real flesh-and-blood and skin-and-bones.

'It becomes real all of the sudden. It was almost like getting in my grandfather's skin and what that was like.'

In 2024 Johnson showed off his buff physique while shooting scenes for the film in Hawaii - but some fans had speculated he was wearing a bodysuit.

He told Extra: 'That's a suit that took a long time to put on. So, I'm so happy you said, "You bulked up," because when you say, "You bulked up," that means you couldn't tell.

'That is a couple of hours every day of transforming, putting that on.'

Johnson said: 'I have a handle on who Maui is. I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it'

Star: Catherine Laga'aia as Moana in the trailer that dropped on Monday

Problem: Johnson admitted that the wig and prosthetics had been 'a challenge'

The director of the live-action Moana, Thomas Kail, recently talked to Entertainment Weekly about Johnson's prosthetics and wig for his role as Maui.

'We knew that it had to be something that could have real lift to it,' the filmmaker explained.

'Because you're doing this on the water, "what does it look like wet?' is a real conversation when you're making Moana. That one weighs 7lb more with all the water in it for all those hours a day.'

Alongside Johnson and Laga'aia, other cast members in the upcoming project - which hits theaters on July 10 - include John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owens.