'The Fate of the Furious': Dwayne Johnson Explains That Soccer Haka Scene

Gwynne Watkins
'The Fate of the Furious': Dwayne Johnson Explains That Soccer Haka Scene

One of the best scenes in The Fate of the Furious (in theaters now) doesn’t involve cars, guns, or stunt doubles: just Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and a girls’ soccer team. Early in the film, Johnson’s character, DSS agent Luke Hobbs, leads his young daughter and her teammates in the Haka, the traditional Polynesisan war dance. Though popularized worldwide by New Zealand sports teams, the ancient Maori ritual is a part of Johnson’s Samoan ancestry, which is what inspired director F. Gary Gray to include it in the film. And it wasn’t just a gimmick: Johnson, Gray, and choreographer Layne Hannemann took the dance seriously, teaching the girls the meaning of every movement and having the whole dance blessed by Maori elders in New Zealand prior to shooting. Watch a behind-the-scenes video below (originally posted in August on the official Fast and Furious Twitter).

Johnson also posted his own behind-the-scenes video on Instagram last summer, and described how meaningful and emotional the Haka is to him. “I told our director @fgarygray to be prepared for anything from me. I might cry, yell, speak with only my eyes and definitely give me space after every take,” he wrote. “The HAKA brings out our mana. Our spirit.” Read the full post and watch Johnson’s video below.

Excited to share this very special HAKA with you guys. A sneak peek into one of the coolest scenes in #FastAndFurious8. It’s ???? the most REAL and AUTHENTIC scene in the movie. No acting. Just from our hearts and WARRIOR MANA (warrior spirit). In the scene my daughter’s soccer team is playing for the championship. Score is tied. 2minutes left in the game. As their coach, I ask them to dig deep and harness their warrior mana one last time, but before they take the field, we will perform our HAKA to our opponent. To our Polynesian culture the HAKA is extremely emotional and spiritual. A pre battle ritual where we call upon the recognition of our ancestors and to give us strength. And if need be, we are prepared to die today, only because we have lived greatly and proudly as people. I told our director @fgarygray to be prepared for anything from me. I might cry, yell, speak with only my eyes and definitely give me space after every take. The HAKA brings out our mana. Our spirit. Finally, I have to give SO MUCH LOVE and credit to these fierce young girls who for weeks and weeks practiced our HAKA and embedded it in their DNA. They understood the meaning behind every word and every warrior gesture. That’s why at the top of this vid when I yell “KIA RI TE” they go from happy and clapping to emotionally allowing their MANA to take over them. It was so cool for me to witness their mana become real. Now just imagine what this scene is going to look like and emotionally FEEL like when you watch it in theaters on the big screen. I promise you, the hairs on the back of your neck will stand up and YOUR MANA will take over. I’m honored to bring you our culture. #Fast8 #IcemanCometh #HAKA #WarriorMana #YouDontWannaMessWithTheseWarriorGirls ????????

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Aug 5, 2016 at 9:39am PDT

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Dwayne Johnson show off his Haka moves. While recording the role of shape-shifting demigod Maui in Disney’s animated film Moana, he did a Haka in character (below).

Then, while promoting the movie, Johnson did a surprise shirtless Haka on Good Morning America.

Too bad he couldn’t get the rest of his Fast and Furious family in on that action. A Haka involving Vin Diesel, Jason Statham and Tyrese would have made for an awesome post-credits sequence.

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