Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has praised the film Moana for emphasising the power of empathy.
The 54-year old reprised his role as demigod Maui in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the hit 2016 Disney animation.
The film follows the title character as she embarks on an journey to save her island of Motunui from an ecological disaster and sets sail to find demigod Maui (Johnson) and restore harmony to the island by returning the heart stone he stole from the goddess Te Fiti.
The adventure ends with a final battle between a corrupted Te Fiti, who without the heart stone, becomes a lava demon named Te Ka.
Speaking at the Moana Live Action movie experience event in London, Johnson told the Press Association: “My favourite part of the movie, and I got a lot of favourite parts, especially my stuff, is at the end when Maui is ready to sacrifice himself to Te Ka, and he basically says bring it on, and Moana says: ‘Let her come to me.’
“I love that moment because I think that’s the thing that represents not only the film and the character of Moana, but also I think represents on a larger scale, how important it is and how powerful it is when you’re empathetic.
“And even something may be evil-looking and extreme, and it’s a lava monster, but it takes a special person to see past that and go: ‘Hey, you’re just not understood, and I see beyond the anger, there’s something in you.’
“I love that moment.”
The actor surprised fans on Tuesday morning to open the movie experience event in London alongside his co-star Laga’aia and director Thomas Kail.
The film is co-produced by Johnson as well as Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who co-wrote a number of the hit songs from the original film including the Academy Award-nominated song, How Far I’ll Go.
The live action version is also co-produced by actress Auliʻi Cravalho who voiced the heroine in the original animated features, Moana and Moana 2.
Laga’aia told PA that she looked up to the character and the actress who brought her to life, Cravalho, adding that she hopes she can do the same for a new generation of fans.
She said: “I think she was an icon, she was a legend, same with Auliʻi.
“That was somebody that I grew up and I idolised and I really respected, so to step into her shoes and hopefully be that for the next generation and have kind of Auliʻi here with me doing the same thing, it’s a really special moment.”
The 19-year old Australian actress also said that her predecessor has offered advice for navigating the industry and encouraged her to dream “bigger for yourself”.
She said: “I think it’s something that is so simple yet so genius to think further for yourself, to want for more, because that’s how you’re going to get these incredible things and opportunities.”
The film aims to celebrate Polynesian culture, director Kail added, with the filmmaker hoping that fans will take away how “connected we are to our ancestors”.
He said: “The Polynesian culture, which is centred in this film, is a great reminder of how important it is to remember who came before us, and also that it’s OK to be afraid of something.
“Moana doesn’t know, and … she’s both scared and brave at the same time, and I think that’s a wonderful quality.”
Moana will be out in cinemas from July 10.
