Current:Home > MarketsTrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls -MoneyBase
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-09 07:06:09
Dwayne Johnson is excited to see how far Moana 2 can go.
And the Black Adam star knows the upcoming sequel to the 2016 animated Disney film will go far,TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center especially because it speaks so directly to young women and girls.
"I think that the main thing about Moana is this idea of female empowerment," Dwayne told E! News at the New York City premiere of his movie Red One Nov. 11, "and this idea that we always say, ‘What's it like being on the reef and looking beyond the reef?'"
And the former WWE wrestler believes the message is universal, "even if you're not part of Polynesian culture."
"It's this idea that what people like to do—especially to young girls—is kind of constrain them," he continued, "and pretzel them into, ‘You can only be so much.' But in Moana 2, you can actually be anything you want." (For more from Dwayne, tune into E! News tonight, Nov. 12, at 11 p.m.)
Plus the chance to voice the character of Maui again was one the 52-year-old couldn't pass up. After all, he loves how Maui "does his best to empower Moana to look beyond the reef."
He added of the film's message, "Whatever it is you want to do, you can do it."
Indeed, Dwayne—who is dad to daughters Jasmine, 8, and Tiana, 6, with wife Lauren Hashian, daughter Simone, 23, with ex Dany Garcia—has already gotten a chance to see Moana 2, which hits theaters Nov. 27, so he knows the message shines through and is "just so happy with" how the film turned out.
He previously teased just how hard at work the cast and crew worked on the sequel, telling E! News, "We went for it." As for their mentality, he noted how when it comes to making a sequel to a film as "beloved" as the first one, the only option was to double down on what the new movie could be and "really go for it."
The Rock has also been working on his singing skills, not just for Moana 2, but also for the live-action version of the Moana, where he'll play Maui once more.
Sometimes he even gets a chance to practice in front of his fans, noting the "number one" request he often receives from them is to sing a few bars from Maui's number "You're Welcome."
"I'm going to sing in keys that don't exist," he joked, "but I think we got a shot."
—Reporting by Emily Curl
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.veryGood! (2212)
Related
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Taliban orders beauty salons in Afghanistan to close despite UN concern and rare public protest
- A man tried to sail from California to Mexico. He was rescued, but abandoned boat drifted to Hawaii
- When do new 'Justified: City Primeval' episodes come out? Cast, schedule, how to watch
- Small twin
- Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy Wants to Star in Barbie 2
- 'Astonishing violence': As Americans battle over Black history, Biden honors Emmett Till
- ‘It was like a heartbeat': Residents at a loss after newspaper shutters in declining coal county
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Judge vacates desertion conviction for former US soldier captured in Afghanistan
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- 101.1 degrees? Water temperatures off Florida Keys currently among hottest in the world
- Chris Eubanks finds newfound fame after Wimbledon run. Can he stay hot ahead of US Open?
- Trans man's violent arrest under investigation by Los Angeles sheriff's department
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Dodgers bring back Kiké Hernández in trade with Red Sox
- Hundreds evacuated after teen girl sets fire to hotel sofa following fight with mom
- USWNT embraces pressure at World Cup; It 'has been fuel for this team,' players say
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Volunteers working to save nearly 100 beached whales in Australia, but more than half have died
The Las Vegas Sphere flexed its size and LED images. Now it's teasing its audio system
Texas QB Arch Manning agrees to first NIL deal with Panini America
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Biden’s son Hunter heads to a Delaware court where he’s expected to plead guilty to tax crimes
Teachers union sues state education department over race education restrictions
'Jeopardy!' champs to boycott in solidarity with WGA strike: 'I can't be a part of that'