Dwayne Johnson confirms he will wear a bodysuit in the live-action “Moana” film

Dwayne Johnson may be known for his muscles, but to play the larger-than-life demigod Maui in the upcoming live-action film “Moana,” he’s getting a little help from a bodysuit.

The actor and WWE wrestler, who is currently promoting Moana 2, was asked in an interview with Extra if he had agreed to take on the role. Although Johnson was pleased that the suit looked realistic, he admitted that he can’t claim Maui’s physique as his own.

“This is a suit that took a long time to put on,” Johnson said. “I’m so glad you said, ‘You gained weight,’ because when you say, ‘You gained weight,’ that means you couldn’t say it.”

When on-set photos of Johnson playing Maui were leaked, it sparked an internet debate about whether the actor was actually wearing a bodysuit. But in addition to giving Johnson demigod-sized muscles, Maui also has dozens of tattoos on his chest, arms and back that are much easier to replicate with a suit. “That means a few hours every day of changing and dressing,” Johnson said.

He added of the leaked photos: “We were shooting outside and when these pictures came up I was like, ‘Shit, we got caught’ because we put up like walls so there wouldn’t be any paparazzi.” But they got in boats and started taking pictures.”

The live-action film “Moana,” in which newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes on the title role, is scheduled to hit theaters in summer 2026. For now, Disney fans can head to theaters to see “Moana 2,” the animated sequel to the original 2016 film. The film is expected to make a splash at the box office this weekend as it opens at 13 .8 million, Disney Animation’s largest preview grosses in history.