‘Ohana clearly means quite a bit to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson by way of his relationship with Disney. Not solely has he embraced the function of Maui in Moana and its sequel (each streamable with a Disney+ subscription), however he’ll be reprising the enduring demigod within the upcoming live-action Disney remake. Forward of that movie’s launch, although the previous wrestler congratulated the Lilo & Sew remake on its field workplace success.
Disney’s live-action remakes have had various performances as of late. Mufasa surpassed Sonic the Hedgehog 3 throughout its field workplace run, although it acquired blended critiques. Snow White additionally acquired middling reactions and struggled onerous on the field workplace. Nonetheless, Lilo & Sew has crushed on the field workplace throughout Memorial Day weekend, nabbing over $145 million domestically.
Even earlier than these last figures got here in, monitoring numbers appeared good, which is what probably prompted The Rock to share the next message on Instagram:
The ONLY particular person – or factor? – that Maui will permit to carry his hook 🪝😜 🐨 👽 🤙🏾 A grateful congrats 👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾 to our LILO & STITCH ohana for his or her file breaking weekend on the field workplace – you all have labored so onerous to ship for the followers, and proudly you may have. The persevering with embrace of our Polynesian tradition world wide has been so humbling to really feel and witness. The mana is actual. Congrats fam and big mahalo to everybody having fun with the film this weekend in theaters.
I’m positive it means an entire lot for Dwayne Johnson to see one other Disney film that embraces Polynesian tradition obtain field workplace success. Lilo & Sew, which marks the return of among the finest pets in Hollywood historical past, appears to be putting a chord with a brand new technology of viewers and probably even those that grew up on the 2002 movie on which it is primarily based. The 2025 film launch’s run is barely simply starting, but it surely’s off to a stellar begin!
The Rock’s connection to Polynesian tradition comes from his mom, who’s of Samoan heritage. His maternal grandfather, Peter Maivia, was often known as the “Excessive Chief” in Samoan wrestling. All in all, Johnson appears to have embraced his roots. He’s even received a Samoan Pe’a tattoo on his left facet that tells the story of his ancestry and he and spouse Lauren Hasian had a secret wedding ceremony in Hawaii in 2019.
Hawaii additionally appears to play a job in Dwayne Johnson’s work. The actor beforehand mentioned attending to movie Jumanji in Hawaii was necessary to him, because it gave him an opportunity to attach additional along with his Polynesian tradition.
Johnson’s function as Maui has been impactful for him as nicely. Whereas discussing the function, he is talked about offering genuine Polynesian illustration, touching households world wide within the course of. If the Moana remake can channel the tradition as nicely, it might probably reinforce the significance of telling numerous tales that may encourage audiences throughout the globe. See Johnson’s full Instagram put up under:
Maui could also be used to saying “You’re welcome,” however Lilo & Sew’s field workplace success simply received “a grateful congrats” from Dwayne Johnson. I really like seeing the A-lister give props to the newly launched movie, which you’ll see in theaters now. Additionally, take a look at The Rock as a live-action Maui when the live-action Moana remake hits theaters on July 10, 2026.