Dwayne Johnson Reveals the Truth Behind His ‘Bulked Up’ Maui Look on Moana Set

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has fans buzzing over his chiseled physique in leaked photos from the set of Disney’s live-action Moana, where he’s bringing the demigod Maui to life. Sporting the character’s iconic tattoos and flowing dark locks, the 52-year-old looked every inch the larger-than-life figure from the 2016 animated hit. But as it turns out, those jaw-dropping muscles aren’t entirely his own doing—it’s a bodysuit doing the heavy lifting.

“That’s a suit that took a long time to put on,” Johnson revealed in a recent interview with Extra. “I’m so happy you said, ‘You bulked up,’ because when you say, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell.” The photos, snapped by The Daily Mail earlier this month, caught him off guard during outdoor filming. “We were putting up walls so there was no paparazzi,” he said, laughing. “But they got into boats and started shooting pictures. S—, we got caught.” Still, he’s thrilled with the buzz, teasing, “I can’t wait. The movie comes out in 2026.”

The live-action Moana reteams Johnson with the Polynesian tale he helped immortalize, this time alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as the titular princess. Following the original’s plot, Moana recruits Maui to save her island, with John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen rounding out the cast as her father, mother, and grandmother, respectively. For Johnson, slipping into Maui’s skin—literally—has been a revelation. “The moment I stepped on set … I realized right away, ‘Oh, wow, this is different,’” he told Extra. “This is real flesh-and-blood and skin-and-bones. It was almost like getting in my grandfather’s skin.”

The bodysuit, which takes “a couple of hours every day” to apply, bridges the gap between animation and reality. Johnson, who voiced Maui in the original, knows the character inside out—“I have a handle on who Maui is. I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration”—but embodying him physically adds a visceral layer. It’s a far cry from the gym-pumped bulk he’s famous for, yet the illusion works, fooling fans and paparazzi alike.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s celebrating another Moana milestone: the animated sequel, Moana 2, which hit theaters November 27, 2024. Picking up years after the first film, it follows Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) on a quest to unite her people across the ocean. Johnson reprises his role as Maui, infusing the demigod with his signature swagger. “Both he and Maui are egotistical, loud, [and have a] big mouth,” he joked to Extra, but there’s a deeper thread: “Trying to find joy around every corner, even if things are a little screwy or wobbly … It helps me deal with the not-joyous stuff.”

Moana 2 also boasts a personal touch—cameos from Johnson’s daughters, Jasmine, 8, and Tiana, 6, with wife Lauren Hashian, voicing fans in Moana’s “Moana-Be’s” club. “I was really impressed with them,” he beamed, a proud dad moment alongside his eldest, Simone, 23, from his first marriage to Dany Garcia. It’s a family affair that mirrors the film’s themes of connection and legacy.

As production rolls on for the 2026 live-action release, Johnson’s dual Moana roles—animated and suited-up—showcase his knack for blending larger-than-life spectacle with heartfelt depth. The bodysuit may be the secret weapon, but it’s his charisma that keeps the magic alive, whether he’s flexing for the cameras or finding joy amid the chaos. For fans, it’s a double dose of Maui they can’t wait to see.