- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson displayed his impressive physique this week while filming scenes Disney's live-action Moana, leaving fans eager to uncover the secret behind his jaw-dropping form.
The 52-year-old WWE icon-turned-Hollywood superstar was recently spotted on a Hawaiian beach, where first-look images revealed him strutting in a loincloth, his sculpted muscles on full display as he portrayed the Polynesian demigod Maui.
Having voiced the character in the 2016 animated Moana, Johnson’s role in the live-action remake offers him a chance to showcase the results of his rigorous fitness routine and disciplined diet.
The former college athlete looked more ripped than ever as he showed off his defined pecs and muscular arms on the set.
The actor has long been open about his regimen, often sharing glimpses of his grueling workout schedule along with some epic-sized cheat meals.
Read on to learn how The Rock maintained his godlike physique for his Moana role.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has once again captivated fans with his incredible physique while filming scenes for Disney's live-action Moana
The 52-year-old WWE icon-turned-Hollywood superstar was recently spotted on a Hawaiian beach, where first-look images revealed him strutting in a loincloth , his sculpted muscles on full display as he portrayed the Polynesian demigod Maui
The Rock is notorious for sticking to a rigorous 6-day workout split, which involves 6 workout sessions per week, done on 6 different days.
He showcased the routine on Instagram during his preparation for Black Adam.
The star said he followed it to achieve the 'champion' physique required for his action-packed scenes.
'Been working extremely hard dieting, training and conditioning unlike any other role of my entire career,” he wrote.
“Manipulating water, sodium, cardio but also having to push and pull real iron to have dense, dry, detailed muscle.
It’s a real science that takes months and months to dial it all in with my strength & conditioning coach @daverienzi who keeps a very watchful eye, constantly fine tuning our strategy daily.”
When it comes to cheat meals, Dwayne loves to share his special indulgence moments on social media.
'Work hard, Play hard.As I bring new meaning to the word, gluttony on my #cheatmealsunday, he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him tucking into a cheeseburger meal.
Having voiced the character in the 2016 animated Moana, Johnson’s role in the live-action remake offers him a chance to showcase the results of his rigorous fitness routine and disciplined diet
The former college athlete looked more ripped than ever as he showed off his defined pecs and muscular arms on the set
The Rock is notorious for sticking to a rigorous 6-day workout split, which involves 6 workout sessions per week, done on 6 different days
When it comes to cheat meals, Dwayne loves to share his special indulgence moments on social media: 'Work hard, Play hard.As I bring new meaning to the word, gluttony on my #cheatmealsunday, he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him tucking into a cheeseburger meal
'Two big daddy’s (my name for them;) aka cheeseburgers with avocado, bacon, onions, lettuce, tomato and double fries from one of my favorite local burger joints on the island.
'Enjoy your cheat meals, my friends. Make them EPIC - you’ve EARNED them./
He also doesn’t take his breakfast lightly—especially when it’s 'cheat meal Sunday.'
The actor has a range of indulgent recipes he enjoys once a week, but his signature treat is 'Rock Toast,' a decadent twist on classic French toast, he admitted on Instagram.
The dish starts with three thick slices of fried brioche bread, each four inches deep.
Johnson then layers on peanut butter, before topping it off with whipped cream and pure maple syrup.
Meanwhile, while filming the live-action Moana, The Rock was joined on set by Catherine Laga'aia, 17, the young actress set to portray the titular Polynesian heroine, Moana.
The Sydney, Australia native is a relative unknown with Samoan heritage.
Laga'aia previously said: 'I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites. My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa.
'I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.'
Auliʻi Cravalho, 23, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, is reprising the titular voice role for the second installment of the animated version - set for release on November 27 2024.
Rounding out the new cast members for the remake are John Tui, 49, who play her dad Chief Tui, Frankie Adams, 30, portrays her mom Sina, while Rena Owen, 61, takes on the Gramma Tala character.
#MOANALiveAction is scheduled to premiere in theaters July 10, 2026.
Thomas Kail will be directing the live-action version, and famed Broadway star Lin Manuel Miranda is doing the music for the movie.
Kail is working from a screenplay by Jared Bush, who served as the writer of the fully animated Moana (2016), which went on to become a smash hit with fans, grossing $687.2 million while working with a $150-175 million budget.
He joined Catherine Laga'aia, 17 - the young actress who will play the titular Polynesian heroine, Moana - on set
Johnson was seen with Maui's iconic magical fish hook on set
The actor looked incredible as he flexed his muscles on the beach set
The Rock was center of attention as he filmed on the beach in Hawaii
He was seen sharing a hug with co-star Catherine as they filmed an emotional scene
The actor looked focused as he rehearsed on the hectic set
The star looked incredible as he filmed for the hotly-anticipated movie
In Moana, the title character sets sail to seek Maui in order to save her island from ecological disaster.
She convinces him to accompany her on her voyage to recover his magical fish hook and restore the heart stone that he stole from the goddess Te Fiti.
Moana is a passion project of sorts for The Rock, considering he has Samoan citizenship due to his mother being Samoan, according to IMDb.
'This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul,' he said of Moana.
'There is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.'
Sean Bailey, Disney Live Action's president of production, recognized that only seven years had passed since the animated Moana film was released, but took into account that the celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary contributed to the decision to remake the film so soon.
The pair will reprise their roles in animated sequel Moana 2 - set for release on November 27
Moana 2 - written and directed by Dave G. Derrick Jr. - is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 27, 2024.
Johnson first announced the live-action remake in April 2023.
He tweeted: 'Humbled to say we're bringing #MOANA's beautiful story to the live action big screen!
'#MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I'm honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people.'
