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Dwayne Johnson Defends Live-Action Moana's Cultural Impact
11 Aug
Summary
- Live-action Moana received critical reviews and underperformed at the box office.
- Dwayne Johnson emphasizes the film's role in representing Polynesian culture.
- Johnson is committed to future projects highlighting Hawaiian and Polynesian heritage.
Dwayne Johnson has spoken about the reception of the live-action Moana, acknowledging its underperformance at the box office and critical reviews, which currently stand at a 31% approval rating. Despite the film grossing over $263 million and being called an "unnecessary shot-for-shot, beat-for-beat live action remake," Johnson highlights its positive impact.
He emphasizes that the movie's creation provided a platform to showcase Polynesian culture and offer jobs to Pacific Islanders. Johnson remains dedicated to this mission, advocating for filming in Hawaii and bringing the culture to the big screen.
Looking ahead, Johnson is involved in a film with Martin Scorsese exploring Hawaiian history and a Hawaiian mob boss, with a focus on "the reclamation of Polynesian culture." He is also set to star in the Jumanji sequel, "Open World," scheduled for a Christmas Day 2026 release, which also features filming in Hawaii.
