Dwayne Johnson has defended Disney’s live-action Moana remake despite its mixed-to-negative critical reception and weaker-than-expected performance at the global box office.
Johnson, who plays the demigod Maui in the film, said he remains proud of the project and urged audiences to form their own opinions rather than focus solely on early reviews.
Dwayne Johnson responds to Moana criticism
Speaking to People, Johnson recalled how the film initially received encouraging reviews before the critical response became more negative.
The actor said he and his wife discussed the reaction at home and acknowledged that changing reviews are part of working in the entertainment industry.
Johnson said the focus should extend beyond the immediate reaction to a film’s release. He also made it clear that audiences do not have to love the movie.
“If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem,” Johnson said.
His comments come after the live-action Moana received a significantly weaker critical response than the 2016 animated original.
Moana remake gets mixed reviews
The live-action remake stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui.
The film currently has a 31% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 42% score on Metacritic, according to the figures cited in the original report.
The response has highlighted the challenge of remaking a popular animated film while meeting the expectations created by its predecessor.
The original Moana, released in 2016, became a major global success and developed a strong following over the years. That popularity has also increased expectations surrounding the live-action adaptation.
How much has Moana earned?
The live-action Moana has reportedly earned around $266 million worldwide, including approximately $119 million from North America.
That is below the performance of the 2016 animated film, which grossed about $687 million worldwide during its theatrical run.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro has also acknowledged that the live-action Moana performed below the company’s expectations at the box office.
However, the studio continues to view its major franchises as valuable properties beyond their immediate theatrical earnings.
Dwayne Johnson remains proud of the film
Despite the criticism, Johnson has maintained a positive outlook towards the movie.
The actor’s comments suggest that he does not view the early reviews and box-office numbers as the only measure of the film’s success.
For Johnson, the live-action Moana represents another opportunity to bring a popular Disney story to a new audience while giving fans a different version of the characters they already know.
The film’s reception is likely to remain a talking point as audiences continue to compare the remake with the beloved animated original.
