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The Rock took to the CinemaCon stage in Las Vegas on Thursday to promote Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Moana. During his appearance, he made some comments amount masculinity that will certainly ruffle of the feathers of incels and those who engage in the “manosphere.”
While introducing footage from the film — which will be hitting theaters on July 10, not even a decade after the release of the original animated film — Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson defined “real masculinity” as men empowering and championing women — framing Moana not as a princess but as a warrior hero, and positioning Maui’s role in the story as one of support rather than savior.
Although the live-action remake of Moana has largely been viewed as a cynical cash grab from Disney, Johnson’s comments struck the right tone and went viral on social media.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson said that real masculinity is empowering women while promoting Moana at CinemaCon in Las Vegas
“The hero of our story is not a princess, she’s a warrior. All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks like,” The Rock said.
“The animated version was just an amazing experience for us as Polynesian people. Maui has been with me for over a decade, and to have the opportunity to bring this powerful and vulnerable demigod to life means so much to me,” he continued.
you know… if you’re going to do a cynical cash grab movie, the least you can do is say something like this. good on him for being openly anti-manopshere. https://t.co/aLfq6Q7R1n
— jourdain searles (@judysquirrels) April 17, 2026
The way Dwayne Johnson @TheRock spoke at #CinemaCon was genuinely moving.
Championing and celebrating female warrior energy is real masculinity at its finest 🙏 https://t.co/gVi0suzt60
— Nikki (Nicola) Meagher (@nikkimeagher) April 17, 2026
Alongside The Rock reprising his role as Maui, Moana — directed by Thomas Kail — also stars Catherine Laga’aia in her film debut as the title character, John Tui as Chief Tui, Moana’s father, Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana’s mother, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, Moana’s grandmother and Tui’s mother. You can check out the official trailer below.