Entertainment · Film · 3 hrs ago
Moana director explains Maui’s wig and sometimes hidden nipples
The live-action Moana is now streaming on Disney+, bringing renewed attention to Dwayne Johnson’s transformation into Maui.
Johnson, who voiced Maui in the animated Moana and Moana 2, plays the demigod in the new film.
Director Thomas Kail said Maui’s hair was required because the character’s power and spirit come from it.
Kail said viewers may notice the long, curly wig more in a short trailer than while watching the full film.
Maui’s nipples are present but can be hard to see beneath his tattoos, Kail said.
Johnson wore a specially designed suit with Maui’s tattoos and enhanced musculature, with different versions for scenes filmed in and out of water.
The film is available to watch on Disney+.
Director Thomas Kail explained that Maui’s long hair reflects the character’s power and spirit.
Kail said Dwayne Johnson’s costume sometimes made Maui’s nipples hard to see beneath his tattoos.
Johnson wore a specially designed suit with Maui’s tattoos and enhanced musculature.
The production needed multiple suit versions for scenes filmed in and out of the water.
The live-action Moana is streaming on Disney+.
- Who
- Director Thomas Kail explained details of Maui’s appearance, played by Dwayne Johnson.
- What
- Kail discussed why Maui has long hair and why his nipples sometimes appear absent beneath his tattoos.
- When
- The live-action film is now streaming on Disney+. Kail spoke to Variety earlier this year and The Wrap; exact dates were not stated.
- Where
- The film is streaming on Disney+.
- Why
- Maui’s power and spirit come from his hair. His nipples were sometimes hard to see beneath the tattooed costume.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Maui’s appearance without hair was flagged by the film’s advisors, according to Kail.
Kail discussed Johnson’s wig and the online reaction with Variety.
The live-action Moana is streaming on Disney+.
- Director
- Thomas Kail
- Maui actor
- Dwayne Johnson
- Hair rationale
- Maui’s power and spirit come from his hair
- Costume
- Specially designed suit with tattoos and enhanced musculature
- Streaming platform
- Disney+
1 source
What people are saying
Maui without hair is not Maui.
I can’t speak to much to the discourse and controversy around his nipples, other than he has them and sometimes you don’t see them.