Actor Dwayne Johnson turned emotional while speaking about the live-action adaptation of Moana at CinemaCon 2026, revealing the personal inspiration behind his character, Maui.
In a video shared on social media, Johnson opened up about the influence of his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Malavia, on the iconic demigod. “The character of Maui was deeply inspired by my grandfather. He passed away when I was 10 years old. We were very close,” he said, adding that the role carries a deep emotional connection for him.
Reflecting on his grandfather’s personality, Johnson noted how several traits made their way into Maui’s character. “It wasn’t just his look or the tattoos. He was powerful, charismatic, had a great sense of humour, and he loved to sing,” he shared. He also recalled how his grandfather would often play the ukulele and sing songs like My Way and I Left My Heart in San Francisco, memories that stayed with him over the years.
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Johnson further explained that portraying Maui in the live-action version allowed him to reconnect with those memories. “Every word he sings, every ‘chee hoo,’ that’s my grandfather. I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude bringing that spirit on screen,” he said. The actor also shared a picture of his grandfather along with the video, calling him a “big” and “powerful” presence in his life, and expressed how much he continues to miss him.
Backed by Walt Disney Studios, Moana is slated for a theatrical release on July 10, 2026, in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Also Read: Dwayne Johnson wraps Jumanji 4, shares unseen BTS pics; gives special shoutout to Nick Jonas
More Pages: Moana (English) Box Office Collection , Moana (English) Movie Review
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