Disney's live-action Moana remake, releasing this Friday, has sparked widespread mockery online over one specific element: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's wig. The actor reprises his role as the demigod Maui, who in the original animation is characterized by long, flowing hair symbolizing virility. Johnson, famously bald, wears a hairpiece to match the character, but the internet has reacted with amused horror.
Meme Frenzy Over the Wig
Social media users have compared Johnson's wig to a "shake-n-go wig from Spirit Halloween" and claimed it "deserves its own credit in the movie." One viral post described it as "fighting gravity, the wind, and its own contract obligations." Johnson himself told a red carpet reporter that the memes made him laugh "so fucking hard," taking the mockery in stride.
A History of Wigs for Johnson
This isn't Johnson's first time wearing a wig on screen. In 2025's The Smashing Machine, he sported a replica of Mark Kerr's haircut without criticism, likely because his entire appearance was altered by prosthetics. In 2001's The Mummy Returns, he wore a vast wig that went un-memed, possibly due to the film's notoriously bad CGI. The difference, observers note, is that the Moana wig looks cheap and artificial, made of nylon and requiring constant maintenance that Johnson's persona doesn't suggest he'd have time for.
Will the Wig Affect the Film's Success?
Despite the mockery, Moana is expected to succeed financially, with Disney likely to greenlight a live-action sequel. Fans have joked they hope for a bald Maui next time. The film's uncanny visual style has also drawn criticism, but Johnson's wig remains the standout talking point.
