Hollywood superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson brought a burst of star power to Rio de Janeiro this week, touching down in Brazil as part of the sprawling global promotional tour for Disney’s live-action reimagining of Moana.
Johnson’s whirlwind Brazilian leg packed a full itinerary into just a few days. He sat down with journalists at a press conference in Rio, then headlined a special fan event at the historic Ilha Fiscal, where he appeared alongside his co-star Catherine Laga’aia, the newcomer who plays Moana in the adaptation.
The blue-carpet event drew a wave of Brazilian celebrities, influencers, and fans eager to catch a glimpse of the actor reprising his role as the demigod Maui, a character he first voiced in the 2016 animated original.
True to form, Johnson leaned into local culture during his stay — he was spotted training at a Rio gym, a moment that quickly went viral on Brazilian social media, and he even joined in a samba session with veteran Brazilian musician Péricles.
Beyond the spectacle, Johnson used his time in Brazil to speak candidly about what the Moana franchise means to him personally. He described how the character of Maui was shaped by his late grandfather, wrestling legend Peter Maivia, and by the Polynesian heritage that runs through his family. He also revealed a touching detail about the new film: both his mother and his daughters make appearances in it, a choice he said was rooted in a desire to preserve a shared moment across generations of his family.
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Johnson didn’t shy away from local passions either. Asked about the 2026 World Cup, he didn’t hesitate to back Brazil to lift the trophy, praising the Seleção’s historic dominance in the sport regardless of this tournament’s outcome.
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Perhaps the biggest headline to emerge from the Rio stop, though, came almost as an aside: pressed on whether Moana should live on for new generations, Johnson confirmed that conversations about a third film, Moana 3, are already underway at Disney — a detail the studio had not previously acknowledged publicly.
The Rio stop is one leg of an extensive worldwide promotional campaign for the film, which has already taken Johnson and the cast through cities including London, Sydney, and stops across China, with more appearances planned in Hawaii, Miami, Puerto Rico, and beyond. The live-action Moana, directed by Emmy and Tony winner Thomas Kail, is set for release in Brazilian cinemas on July 8–9, 2026, with the wider international rollout following on July 10.
For Brazilian fans, Johnson’s brief but electric appearance in Rio de Janeiro left a lasting impression — deepening the actor’s bond with the country and building anticipation both for the film and for what may be a returning visitor in the future.