Before teasing the rugby project, Johnson told the Herald his time in New Zealand left a permanent impact on his life.
“I miss being in New Zealand.
“I grew up an only child and a trailer park kid in the States, and then we moved from Hawaii to New Zealand and lived in Grey Lynn for a little over a year.”
Johnson, 54, says during this time he learned about family, ceremony and respect while living with his extended family in Aotearoa – themes that resonate in the story of Moana.
“Not only do I miss it, but I’m also so grateful that I went through it because it’s the kind of stuff that I could teach to my own daughters.”
Set in ancient Polynesia, Moana follows the strong-willed daughter of a village chief who is chosen by the ocean to restore a mystical relic to the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight threatens her island, she sets sail in search of the legendary demigod Maui to save her people.
The Moana franchise has grossed over US$1.7 billion globally across its theatrical releases.
Johnson plays Maui in the franchise, and is also executive producer of the live-action film.
He said he hoped New Zealand fans are proud of the Moana they have been able to create.
The film’s director, Thomas Kail, who also directed Hamilton, said the depth of New Zealand talent in the film is part of what makes it so special.
“There’s New Zealand talent all over this movie, Rena [Owen], John Tui, Frankie [Adams], Jemaine [Clement], and what I found was passion and conviction to the moment.
“There was a deep sense of spirit and of mana that was coursing through.
Kail added it was “a joy to be around that level of experience and connection to culture and lived experience – it was a gift”.
Rising star Catherine Laga’aia, who plays Moana, said she was excited for people to see the nuances of the film and especially eager for the world to see the way the Pacific Islands are represented in the movie.
“What you see, whatever you look at, there’s nothing in this film that was made up or made prettier so that people could appreciate it.
“Everything is as authentically beautiful as it is in the islands.”
She was joined on the carpet by her father, New Zealand actor Jay Laga’aia, All Black Julian Savea, singer Stan Walker, social media star Louis Davis and MMA fighter Robert Whittaker.
Live-action Moana is out in New Zealand theatres from July 8.
