Moana director Thomas Kail says The Rock‘s pro wrestling experience helped shape his role in the film.
The Rock plays Maui in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s Moana. Speaking to Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Nikki Novak to promote the film, director Thomas Kail pointed out how the WWE legend’s wrestling background helped him film the intense physical action sequences.
“Then we had Dwayne getting just tossed and like battered during it too. So I think his professional wrestling days really help you there because you can throw anything at him, and he’s like, ‘That’s all you got?'” When asked about the conversations he had with The Rock about the action scenes, including one where he gets thrown to the ground and doused with water, the director said, ” Well, I will say that the moment that you just singled out when he gets doused with water, Dwayne was like, ‘That’s not enough water. Like, I need more water.’
“We couldn’t have turned the hose on fast enough or high enough for him. He actually was like, ‘It’s funnier if it’s more,’ and I was like, ‘He said it. I didn’t.’ So that’s also a testament to Dwayne because that’s exactly who he is.”
The Rock believes Maui is inspired by his grandfather
Reflecting on his early conversation with The Rock about the movie, Thomas Kail said it is a deeply personal project because the WWE legend noted that Maui appears to be based on his own grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia. Coming from a theater background where shows eventually close and disappear, the director said he’s excited to use Disney’s global platform to create a lasting celebration of Polynesian culture with the film.
Speaking further about the particular scene where Maui gets ragdolled, the director said, “When you’re in a wrestling match, and the outcome might be determined in some way. But you’ve got to get knocked down before you get up; otherwise, who cares if you get up? So Dwayne understands that on a really primordial level. So then when he gets up, it’s Moana who has to save him in that number. You also then understand, going forward, that character’s humiliation.
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