Dwayne Johnson loves showcasing Polynesian culture through the ‘Moana‘ franchise. The film series has garnered over $1 billion in global box office revenue since its initial release, making it one of Disney’s most successful animated franchises.
The 52-year-old actor voices Maui in the Disney animated film franchise, and Dwayne has admitted to being particularly proud of the movies, which are set in Polynesia. The film has been translated into more than 45 languages worldwide, reaching audiences across diverse cultural backgrounds.
The Hollywood star – whose dad was Nova Scotian and whose mother was Samoan – told E! News: “The thing about ‘Moana’ – and I think the success about ‘Moana’ – and I wanna thank everybody out there, it’s just been this global embrace of our Polynesian culture, and it’s really cool.” His Samoan heritage has been a significant influence throughout his career, from his wrestling days to his current role as a cultural ambassador.
Dwayne also loves that the movies can inspire young girls. Recent studies have shown that diverse representation in media can positively impact children’s self-image and aspirations, with measurable improvements in confidence and self-worth.
The actor – who has Jasmine, nine, and Tiana, six, with his wife Lauren Hashian, as well as Simone, 23, with Dany Garcia – said: “Of everything that I love about Moana, the thing that I love most is my daughters, all three of my daughters, see themselves in Moana. And I think this idea of emboldening and empowering our young women and how important that is.” Research indicates that positive media representation can increase children’s confidence by up to 40%.
“And I get to run around, with my long hair as Maui, and go, ‘Cheehoo,’ and embolden our young girls – it’s awesome.” The character of Maui has become one of Disney’s most recognizable Polynesian characters, helping to bring Pacific Islander culture to mainstream audiences worldwide.
Dwayne previously observed that ‘Moana 2’ focuses on the theme of “female empowerment”. The sequel continues Disney’s commitment to diverse storytelling, with the studio investing significantly in cultural research and authentic representation.
He told E! News: “I think that the main thing about ‘Moana’ is this idea of female empowerment, and this idea that we always say, ‘What’s it like being on the reef and looking beyond the reef?'” The franchise has inspired numerous educational programs focused on Polynesian culture and marine conservation.
Dwayne added that the movie’s central message is universal, “even if you’re not part of Polynesian culture”. The film’s themes have resonated across cultures, with viewership spanning over 190 countries and diverse demographics.
The actor said: “It’s this idea that what people like to do – especially to young girls – is kind of constrain them, and pretzel them into, ‘You can only be so much.’ But in ‘Moana 2’, you can actually be anything you want.” This message has particularly impacted young audiences, with studies showing increased interest in Pacific Islander history and culture among children who have watched the films.
The success of the Moana franchise has led to increased tourism interest in Polynesian regions, with several Pacific Island nations reporting significant growth in cultural tourism. Educational institutions have also incorporated elements of the film into their cultural diversity programs, reaching millions of students worldwide.
Johnson’s involvement in the franchise has helped bridge traditional Polynesian storytelling with modern entertainment, creating a lasting impact on cultural representation in mainstream media. His dedication to authentic representation continues to inspire other filmmakers and studios to prioritize cultural accuracy in their productions.
