During an episode of The Graham Norton Show, actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made an interesting revelation about his connection to James Bond. It turns out that his grandfather, high chief Peter MVA, was actually a baddy in the Bond film “You Only Live Twice.” This led to an interesting discussion about his grandfather’s wrestling career in England during the 60s, where he was trained in the tough English style wrestling that derived from Shoot fighting. Johnson even shared a picture of his grandfather in his pro-wrestling gear, complete with his high chief attire.
But the connection doesn’t end there. Johnson also revealed that his character Maui in the Disney film “Moana” was based on his grandfather. With long hair, a big build, and tattoos, Maui‘s character in the film was a homage to his grandfather’s appearance. In Polynesian and Samoan culture, becoming a high chief involves getting tattoos that cover a large portion of the body, from the knees up to the bottom of the chest. It’s an intense process, but one that holds great significance in their culture.
Interestingly, Johnson shared that children often approach him, asking him to sing Maui‘s song from the movie. He graciously obliges and delights his young fans with a rendition of the popular tune. However, he also revealed that his singing skills are often put to the test by his children, who request him to sing pop songs from Disney‘s Radio Disney playlist. It seems his daughters have moved on from the Frozen obsession and now prefer the songs from Moana, hoping their dad can deliver a performance similar to his character in the film.
The conversation took another hilarious turn as fellow guest Ben Affleck chimed in, sharing that his kids also love to sing along to Disney songs and Radio Disney. Affleck jokingly teased Johnson about not knowing what Radio Disney is, but Johnson quickly responded, saying it’s a 24-hour channel that plays pop music, much to Affleck’s surprise. They both admitted to occasionally singing along to the Disney songs, with Affleck mentioning his fondness for singing along to “The Little Mermaid.”
The banter continued as the guests playfully poked fun at each other’s singing skills. Amidst the laughter, Johnson mentioned how his office holds something very special. He revealed that he is the proud owner of a gigantic dancing Olaf statue from Disney‘s “Frozen.” This colossal piece arrived at his house in a crate reminiscent of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” causing some concern from his wife. Fortunately, they found a spot for Olaf in his office, where it now stands prominently.
As the conversation wrapped up, host Graham Norton brought up that Affleck had written songs for “Moana” and asked if it earned him any brownie points at home. Affleck jokingly replied, saying it did bring the song “Your Welcome” into their household. However, he quickly clarified that it was the voice of Johnson, as only he could bring the charm and charisma required for that particular song.
Overall, the episode of The Graham Norton Show provided a lighthearted and entertaining glimpse into the lives of two talented actors. It showcased their love for Disney, their connections to iconic films, and the humorous dynamics between them. From Johnson’s family ties to the world of wrestling and his adoring young fans, to Affleck’s role in creating memorable music for “Moana,” the conversation was filled with laughter and amusing anecdotes.
