Disney’s live-action remake of Moana did not pan out the way the studio would have hoped. Not only did the film cop bad reviews from critics, but it also had an underwhelming time at the box office. However, that has not stopped the film’s star Dwayne Johnson from being proud of it. The actor has defended the beleaguered film in a new interview.
Dwayne Johnson defends Moana
Dwayne, who plays the demigod Maui in the film, told People that the initial reviews had been encouraging before the critical response shifted. “Our first two reviews came out. I’ll never forget it. They were amazing. I was like, ‘Wow.’ [Then] it went another way, as sometimes happens. That’s just the way it goes because we’re in this business. My wife and I had a lot of these conversations at home, at the kitchen island late at night when the babies are asleep,” the actor said.
Moana, a remake of Disney’s hugely successful 2016 animated film of the same name, was not received well by critics. It currently holds a low 31% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 42% on Metacritic. The critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “The sea calls to no one in this underwhelming new version of Moana, an endeavor that solidifies its animated predecessor as the superior adventure.” Some critics, however, were sympathetic towards the film. Critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “The remake of ‘Moana’ can’t, and shouldn’t, replace the original. But it earns a place alongside it.” Apart from Dwayne, the film stars Catherine Laga’aia in the titular role.
Dwayne Johnson said his focus on was looking beyond the immediate reaction to the movie. “The challenge was, ‘OK, let’s remember, though, what’s going to be beyond this opening weekend. Let’s remember what’s happening right now and the noise that’s happening right now. If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem,” the actor said.
Moana’s below par box-office performance
The film has also faced a softer-than-expected box office performance. The film has earned $266 million worldwide, including $119 million in North America. In comparison, the 2016 animated original had grossed $687 million worldwide, including $249 million in the US and Canada lone.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro acknowledged that Moana’s box office results had been below expectations. “Even when our franchise films don’t meet our box office expectations, as with the Mandalorian and Grogu and the live-action Moana, our investments in these core properties fuel other parts of our company,” D’Amaro said, according to Variety.
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