Dwayne Johnson got a big birthday surprise from his Moana family!
On Sunday, May 26, Johnson, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on May 2, shared a sweet clip on Instagram showing the team behind the upcoming live-action Moana reimagining celebrating the actor’s birthday.
The clip showed Johnson, who is reprising his role as the voice of Maui in the flick, going slowly into a room before seeing the group, who sang “Happy Birthday” to him as vocal supervisor Alex Lacamoire played along on the piano.
“Thank you guys,” Johnson told the team, which included director Thomas Kail, before blowing out candles on a cookie cake and saying, “I appreciate it, I appreciate you guys, love you guys.”
“What a day we had putting the song up on its feet,” Johnson said as his Moana track “You’re Welcome” played in the background.
“A new version of it, I can’t wait to make this film with you guys. Our live-action Moana, and I will pop this open… to Moana and building the universe of Moana with the best partners in the world. I love you guys,” he added, before taking a swig of his Teremana tequila.
“I never hard charge into an unknown room… I take it nice and eaze… 😂💀,” Johnson wrote in the caption.
“Never know what’s waiting for ya on the other side — in this case a very sweet birthday surprise!” he added.
“Thank you so much to my @disneystudios & #TeamMoana partners for the love. Love you back. ~ Maui 🪝🥳 🎂,” Johnson concluded.
It was confirmed earlier this year that a sequel to the hit 2016 flick was also in the works after the live-action version was announced in April 2023.
“Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise, and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theaters this November,” said Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger in a statement in February.
According to a synopsis, Moana 2 “takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”
Moana 2 will hit theaters in November, while the live-action version is expected to be released in 2026.