Moana Director Clarifies Dwayne Johnson's Wig and Maui's Tattoo Suit Design

Director Thomas Kail has weighed in on two of the most talked-about aspects of Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of Maui in Disney's new live-action Moana film: the actor's striking long, curly wig and questions about his character's tattoo coverage.

Johnson reprises the role of the demigod after lending his voice to Maui in the 2016 animated original and its 2024 sequel.

In an interview with Variety, Kail explained the reasoning behind Maui's distinctive hairstyle. During the development of the original animated film, before 2016, the creative team consulted with cultural advisors about the character's appearance. When Maui was initially conceived without hair, advisors immediately flagged the issue—Maui's power and spiritual essence are intrinsically tied to his hair, making it essential to the character's identity.

Kail noted that seeing the wig in a brief trailer creates a different impression than watching it throughout an entire feature. "When folks have been watching the movie, you sort of say 'there's Maui,' and then you don't think about it," he said. The director added that he spent most of his time on set seeing Johnson in the wig, so he wasn't even aware the actor was bald underneath.

Regarding viewers' observations about Maui's tattoos appearing to obscure his chest, Kail told The Wrap that Johnson wore a specially designed suit featuring the character's intricate tattoos and enhanced musculature. Because filming took place both in and out of water, the production required multiple versions of the suit to accommodate different shooting conditions.

"I can't speak to much to the discourse and controversy around his nipples, other than he has them and sometimes you don't see them," Kail stated.

The film opened in theaters on July 10.