'Moana': Dwayne Johnson embraces Maui's makeover in new live action film

Dwayne Johnson is returning as Maui in the new live-action version of "Moana," reprising a character he first played in the original animated film a decade ago and again in the 2024 sequel.

The film is directed by Thomas Kail, who is best known for his Tony-winning work directing "Hamilton" on Broadway. "Moana" marks his feature film directorial debut.

Johnson said the creative team sought to balance familiarity with a fresh take on the story, noting that audiences will say, "Hey, give me what I know, but also give me something different."

"What does different look like?" he mused, adding that the director was "able to bring that to the table."

Kail said the filmmakers wanted to remain faithful to the source material while bringing a new perspective.

"We wanted to trust the story and the characters and the emotion, but also not be afraid to approach things with a different interpretation," he said.

Music remains a key part of the film, with Johnson bringing back his signature song from the franchise.

"We wanted to take each musical moment and make sure it was distinct," the director said. "None of these numbers feel the same, yet they all needed to live within the body of our film and feel cohesive."

The film also generated attention online after fans got their first look at Johnson's long-haired appearance as Maui.

Johnson said he enjoyed seeing the public reaction.

"You're used to seeing me with a big bald head and then you see me with this long, luxurious hair, it's jarring for people," Johnson said with a laugh. "And I was so entertained by a lot of everyone's comments. But I also knew, wait 'til you see the film, right? So you saw it, you know, and we made a good one. And the hair is beautiful!"

"Moana" is rated PG and will be in theaters Friday, July 10.

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