Disney's 'Moana' Trailer Sparks Backlash Over Dwayne Johnson's Wig, But Film Won't See Creative Changes

The live-action remake's first look drew criticism online, but Disney says there are no plans for major creative pivots.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:09pm

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Disney's first trailer for the live-action 'Moana' remake has sparked backlash from fans over Dwayne Johnson's curly wig as the demigod Maui, with many mocking the look online. However, sources say the film won't undergo any major creative changes despite the social media pile-on, as the coloring and visual effects are still being finalized. The movie, which was shot on location in Hawaii and at a studio in Atlanta, has also faced criticism for looking 'washed out and dull' compared to the vibrant animated original.

Why it matters

The reaction to the 'Moana' trailer highlights the challenges Disney faces in translating its beloved animated films to live-action, as fans have routinely criticized the studio's recent remakes for heavy use of CGI or desaturated visuals. However, the trailer's massive 132 million views in 24 hours suggest strong interest in the film, and Disney appears confident that the final product will satisfy audiences.

The details

Dwayne Johnson spent 2.5 hours each day in hair and makeup to achieve Maui's voluminous, curly locks, a key part of the character's design from the animated film. The filmmakers toyed with using digital effects to create Maui's hair but ultimately decided a physical wig was the best approach. The live-action 'Moana' was shot on location in Hawaii as well as at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, requiring the cinematographer to blend footage captured on set with visual effects-heavy sequences.

  • The 'Moana' trailer was released on March 26, 2026.

The players

Dwayne Johnson

The actor who reprises his voice role as the demigod Maui in the live-action 'Moana' remake.

Óscar Faura

The cinematographer who worked on the live-action 'Moana' film, having previously worked on 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'.

Bill Westenhofer

The visual effects supervisor on the live-action 'Moana' remake, who has worked on films like 'Life of Pi'.

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What they’re saying

“We've told all the casting agents that the Weird Al biopic sequel is currently on hold, but they just keep sending in headshots.”

— Weird Al Yankovic

“The wig was very crucial and important because, in holding onto the integrity of the character from the animated version, Maui was very proud of his hair. And he had beautiful hair, beautiful demigod hair.”

— Dwayne Johnson, Actor

The takeaway

Disney's live-action remakes continue to face scrutiny from fans over their visual translations of beloved animated films, but the studio appears undeterred in its commitment to the 'Moana' project despite the social media backlash. The film's strong early trailer performance suggests there is still significant interest from audiences, and Disney likely hopes the final product will win over critics when it hits theaters.