TGIF Feature: Dwayne Johnson includes tribute to Samoa in 'Hobbs & Shaw'

Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs leads his Samoan bro's into battle in 'Hobbs & Shaw.'

The scene may seem insignificant to most moviegoers distracted by all that's going on in the action-filled flick, but to Dwayne Johnson, having his Samoan heritage on display in his summer release, Hobbs & Shaw, it was very special.

"It’s the very first time we’ve seen Samoa ever featured and ever showcased in the movies," said Johnson in an article in this month's Vanity Fair.

“It was important to (Johnson) because for the first time he’s really able to, in a blockbuster film, embrace his cultural heritage,” said screenwriter and producer Chris Morgan in an interview with Vanity Fair.

The plot has hero Luke Hobbs, played by Johnson, return to Samoa.

While Johnson has been able to give a nod to his Samoa in his other films, Hobbs & Shaw gave him an opportunity to have a love letter to his heritage, says Morgan.

“I’m half black and half Samoan and very proud of who I am and what I am with the cultures that I come from, and having this opportunity to showcase one of my cultures — my Samoan culture — to the big screen, to the world in a global event movie, was very special to me.”

"You guys familiar with the Haka? OK great,"  Johnson asked the audience at CinemaCon2019. "Well, we don’t do that in this movie. But what we do is called the ‘Siva Tau.’ The Siva Tau is the Samoan version of the Haka and we still (perform it to) call upon our ancestors." 

The actors playing Hobb's relatives are of Samoan descent and they were really into the scene. Even during rehearsals there was a special feeling going on, says Johnson.

“I remember being there that night when he’s doing the Siva Tau, and (Johnson's) mom’s there and she’s crying,” Morgan recalled. “There’s so much going on. She’s seeing her son embrace his cultural heritage, and share it with the world on a giant movie, and speak her native language. It was very moving.”

“She had no idea it was gonna happen,” Johnson said in an interview on Live with Kelly and Ryan. “They’re tears of pride.”

Hobbs & Shaw was released in theaters Aug. 2.

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