Moana 2’s Dwayne Johnson On Challenging Ideas Of Masculinity With Maui In The Sequel

Moana 2’s Dwayne Johnson On Challenging Ideas Of Masculinity With Maui In The Sequel

As a long-time fan who’s witnessed Dwayne Johnson‘s meteoric rise from wrestling ring to Hollywood stardom, I can confidently say that his latest role as Maui in Moana 2 is not just another feather in his cap. This man has always been more than just a physical powerhouse; he’s an embodiment of strength, resilience, and the courage to embrace vulnerability.


Dwayne Johnson isn’t just a globally recognized film star; he’s also physically impressive and towering. Despite his well-known background in professional wrestling, it’s challenging to overemphasize just how massive and powerful he truly is. Though Johnson embodies traditional masculinity on the big screen, the man himself asserts that true masculinity transcends physical might, a theme that will be further developed by his character in Moana 2, due out later this year.

One key similarity between Moana 2 and its predecessor is that the storyline seems to be initiated by Maui’s mistakes. An encounter with a fresh character named Matangi will reportedly put Maui in a tight spot, compelling him to seek assistance. Johnson shared with EW that this message of needing help and admitting errors is an essential aspect he wants the character to convey. He elaborated…

The concept of seeking assistance is essentially an extraordinary ability. To me, true masculinity doesn’t lie in being tough or being a hero. Authentic strength in masculinity is found in the courage to peer within and assert, ‘This is what I’m experiencing, and it’s alright. Here’s my heart. I am more than willing to expose it to someone who can aid me.’

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that Maui, this character from our favorite game, embodies a powerful sense of performative masculinity. He presents himself in ways traditionally associated with the term, but there seems to be a lot more depth hidden beneath his exterior. The upcoming movie promises to reveal this hidden side of him, and it got me thinking – maybe there’s a layer to Johnson (the actor) that we haven’t seen yet either.

A great deal of anticipation surrounds the upcoming release of Moana 2. Moana, one of Disney’s finest animated productions, consistently ranks among the most popular films streamed on any platform over the past few years. It is truly remarkable for a film that will be eight years old when its sequel hits the screens.

It seems the original plan was for Moana to appear in a Disney+ animated series as a sequel. But, with the project turning out exceptionally well, they decided to present it as a full-fledged movie instead. In this story, we find Moana, now with a younger sister, trying to unite her people from various seas.

Moana is the first of three major Disney sequels planned for theaters over the next few years. Zootopia 2 is slated for release on Thanksgiving weekend next year. The Frozen 3 release date is currently slated for the same weekend in 2027. We also know there will be a fourth Frozen movie, though when that movie will come out has yet to be announced.

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2024-09-13 22:38