Dwayne Johnson, the 54-year-old actor known as 'The Rock', has revealed that starring in the live-action adaptation of Disney's Moana imparted valuable 'life lessons'. He made the remarks on Monday during the opening of a new Moana and Lilo & Stitch-themed play area at Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) in London, where he was joined by co-star Catherine Laga'aia, who portrays the titular character in the upcoming film.
Johnson's Reflections on the Live-Action Experience
Speaking to the Press Association, Johnson, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui, said: 'Playing Maui in Moana over the course of the past 10 years has been such a real privilege and just made my job awesome. But also I think the turning it into a live-action was an even greater experience, and I'll tell you why, because you realise with these kind of lessons, life lessons and values, and even music and choreography, and song, it's so much richer when it's real human beings doing it in a live-action version. Because it's real flesh and blood, real people looking each other in the eyes, real chemistry, and also on top of all that we had an opportunity to find our real Moana (Laga'aia).'
Hospital Visit and Patient Impact
During their visit to Gosh, the two actors met 10-year-old patient Bella, who was rushed to the hospital with a brain tumour at age four. Bella eventually lost the ability to speak, but became obsessed with the song 'Shiny' from the original animated Moana film and began singing it. Her mother Sophie credits the song with helping Bella regain her speech. Johnson described the visit as 'an awesome day' and called the charity moment 'really incredible'.
Upcoming Film Release
Moana, the third film in the franchise and the first live-action movie, follows the animated Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024). It is set to be released in the UK on July 10.
