Dwayne Johnson on Moana remake poor reviews That’s just the way it goes

When a massive cinematic undertaking doesn’t quite land the way it was hoped, sometimes the best response is simply acceptance. That’s the philosophy behind Dwayne Johnson’s take on the performance of the live-action remake of Moana.

The film, which featured Johnson as demigod Maui in its 2024 sequel, opened in cinemas on July 10th. However, the box office results proved a different story. Despite the massive anticipation, the film generated $266 million against a reported budget of $250 million.

The critical reception offered further evidence that the journey wasn’t smooth for the remake. While audiences seemed to embrace the spectacle with an impressive 88 per cent score, critics were notably more divided, landing at just 32 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

When asked about this mixed feedback, Johnson offered a surprisingly candid reflection in a recent interview. He admitted that while his initial reviews of the film were overwhelmingly positive—he remembered them as being “amazing”—subsequent critical commentary took a different turn. “It went another way, as sometimes happens,” he explained. “That’s just the way it goes because we’re in this business.”

This response offered a masterclass in industry realism: acknowledging that creative endeavors rarely follow a straight line to success. It shifted the focus from disappointment to perspective.

The challenge, Johnson noted, was focusing on what mattered beyond opening weekend noise. He emphasized that the true measure lies in understanding the ongoing narrative and momentum of the project rather than dwelling solely on initial metrics.

This theme of controlling one’s output over external results is not new for Johnson. Last year, he also reflected on the disappointing performance of his drama The Smashing Machine, where he stressed that while you cannot control box office figures, you absolutely can control your commitment and performance.

This approach resonates deeply in Hollywood, particularly when dealing with high-stakes productions. It suggests that true mastery lies not in dictating the outcome of the market, but in maintaining complete creative control over the vision itself.

Even major studio heads acknowledge the complex reality of film economics. Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro recognized that while the new Moana did not meet all commercial expectations, the focus is shifting toward a different metric. He stressed that the strategy now involves leveraging the content for long-term value, expecting both the original Moana and its sequel to thrive on Disney+.

Ultimately, the story of the remake reflects a broader truth about the film industry: sometimes the path to success is less about following a script and more about embracing the unpredictable nature of storytelling itself.