Dwayne Johnson Spur Fans to Sing Along in Cinemas

Hollywood star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently spoke out in favor of singing during movies, especially musicals. During the UK premiere of Moana 2 in London, he said that cinema etiquette should allow one to sing during films; at least, especially if you love music, that’s the fun part.

The highly anticipated sequel brings back Johnson as the voice of Maui alongside Auli’i Cravalho, reprising her role as Moana. This follow-up to the 2016 animated hit continues the story of the adventurous Polynesian teen and her demigod companion. Set three years after the original, Moana 2 introduces audiences to a new journey with a diverse crew of “unlikely seafarers.”

The event at Leicester Square was nothing short of spectacular. The area was transformed into a tropical paradise, with palm trees, sandy beaches, and traditional dancers, although the chilly November weather was a sharp contrast to the sunny scenes in the movie. Fans braved the cold to catch a glimpse of the stars, with Johnson warmly engaging the crowd and taking photos.

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Henry Villarama, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Singing Sparks Debate Among Cinema-Goers

An online lively debate has been going on about whether singing aloud enhances or ruins movie-going experience. The re-release of Wicked recently reignited this debate when some fought to maintain the quiet sanctity of the cinema, while others argued that musicals were intended to be seen and heard vocally. Johnson left no ambiguity where he stands.

Sing! You’ve paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, and you’ve gone into a musical, and you’re into it. Sing,” he said with a smile, emphasizing that participation is part of the joy of watching musicals. ### Auli’i Cravalho Discusses Coming Back to Moana

Cravalho, the actress who first voiced Moana when she was 16, said it feels great to get back into the role. Since her breakout performance as the teenage princess, Cravalho has appeared in projects such as Mean Girls (2024) and stage productions.

“I think Moana is at the front of a conversation now where the word princess and the word hero are kind of interchangeable,” she said. “She’s strong; she’s brave; she’s not afraid to reach out and grab a demigod by the ear. She looks strong, too-at the helm of her own ship.”

At this age of her early twenties, Cravalho still has the ability to inspire more youthful crowds. She has encountered children who believe she is Moana. “Sometimes when I meet kids who are at that really special age, I feel like Santa. They look at me and say, ‘You’re Moana!’ And they believe it! And it warms my heart.”

Johnson Reflects on His Role and Family Connection

Johnson, who is 52 now, has grown to be comfortable with the role of Maui, the larger than life demigod. He humorously contrasted Maui’s godlike nature with his own wrestling past: “Maui actually is a demigod. The difference is wrestlers think that they’re demigods, but they’re not. I know that because I was one of them,” he joked.

For Johnson, the character is personal. In fact, he said his three daughters love Moana because they see bits of themselves in the movie. “They feel a sense of representation from the film,” he said. Now that Johnson will star in the next live-action Moana film, Moana is even more significant to his career.

Nostalgia Catches Up with a New Generation

Moana 2 aims to win over both the nostalgic hearts of fans who grew up while the original movie was released in 2016 and appeal to new younger audiences. Disney is looking to this wide appeal to reproduce the success of the first movie, which collected $687 million worldwide and acquired two Oscar nominations. The original also became the most-streamed movie of 2023 in the United States.

Interestingly, while Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs for the original film, he did not contribute to the sequel. The original songs are written by four contributors: Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the viral creators of the Bridgerton musical.

Moana 2, arriving in UK cinemas November 29, comes carrying high hopes of resonating across generations much like its previous predecessor. Whether audiences sing along or not, this vibrant Polynesian adventure promises to be another memorable addition to Disney’s storied legacy.

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