“Moana” Official Trailer: Dwayne Johnson Returns as Maui as Catherine Laga’aia Steps Into the Title Role in Disney’s Live-Action Remake of Its Beloved Animated Adventure — In Theaters July 10th
🎥 Disney revisits its modern animated classic with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui, but the question remains whether the magic of the original can truly translate to live-action?
Live-action adaptations of animated classics aren’t new. For decades now, we have seen movie studios (particularly Disney) dipping into their vault of animated properties to see if they can turn them into live-action summer tentpoles. And for the most part, it has worked, as audiences seem to have a genuine curiosity to see how these films translate into live-action.
But the question here is, do they lose some of that magic once they make the jump to live-action? Is there just something about animation itself that makes them undeniably magical and special, no matter how hard live-action tries to replicate it?
Well, one would be lying if they said this newly released trailer for the live-action version of Disney’s Moana, giving audiences their first full look at Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui (this time in the flesh), doesn’t naturally invite comparisons to the original animated classic. And while there’s a built-in sense of familiarity in seeing Johnson reprise a character he originally voiced, the transition from animation to live-action isn’t as seamless as you might expect. Dare we say, Dwayne Johnson might not quite live up to his animated counterpart, as there’s something slightly jarring about his appearance as Maui in this new full-look trailer.
Look, on paper, it’s a no-brainer: having The Rock reprise Maui. He’s also a massive star, so having him headline this live-action take only makes sense from a studio perspective. And hey, it worked for Gerard Butler in the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon, which went on to make over $630 million worldwide for Universal Pictures. And we’re sure Disney saw that success and took note.
But here’s the thing: Maui, as we remember him, wasn’t just a character… he was a larger-than-life presence, one that animation could exaggerate in ways live-action simply can’t match.
In animated form, Maui’s personality was expressed through bold, exaggerated movements and facial expressions that pushed beyond realism in a way only animation can. That heightened style gave Maui his charm, his humor, and his mythic energy. Here, despite Johnson’s natural charisma, that same spark feels... well, a little muted. Johnson’s expressions don’t quite land the same, and the result is a version of Maui that feels a bit restrained… almost like the character has been scaled down to fit reality.
To be fair, this is just a trailer, and we could be judging it too early. And given the track record of live-action adaptations of beloved animated classics, it seems audiences don’t mind these reinterpretations, as they still tend to head to the cinemas in droves—which makes this live-action Moana movie likely to become one of the biggest hits this summer.
Skepticism aside, it’s hard to imagine the film not becoming a major summer hit, as it already has a built-in audience and a familiar story that everyone already knows and loves: a young, courageous princess setting out on a sweeping ocean adventure alongside a larger-than-life demigod to save her people.
This time around, newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes on the role of Moana, stepping into the shoes of a strong-willed Polynesian princess destined for more than the life laid out in front of her. When a creeping darkness begins to threaten her island home, she does what any great cinematic hero does: she ignores the warnings, trusts her instincts, and heads straight into the unknown.
Of course, she doesn’t go it alone. Johnson’s Maui, the fabled demigod with an ego as massive as his legendary feats, becomes Moana’s reluctant ally on a journey that quickly grows bigger and stranger than either of them expected.
And lest you forget, it’s a musical as well as a live-action remake; none other than Tony Award–winning Hamilton director Thomas Kail is making his feature directorial debut, likely bringing a strong sense of dynamic staging to the film’s big musical moments. Kail previously helmed the Emmy-nominated Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon biographical miniseries Fosse/Verdon, as well as a handful of TV episodes, but this marks his first feature film.
Also in the cast is legendary New Zealand actress Rena Owen, of Once Were Warriors and The Dead Lands fame, who takes on the role of Gramma Tala.
Here’s an interesting note: Owen also provided the voice of the alien administrative aide Taun We in George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and appeared as Senator Nee Alavar in Episode III – Revenge of the Sith—films that also featured New Zealand-Australian actor Jay Laga’aia as Captain Typho. Jay Laga’aia, of course, is the father of Catherine Laga’aia, who makes her feature acting debut here as Moana. It’s a nice full-circle moment.
So, whether this new Moana movie ends up feeling like a dull retread or a runaway success will depend on how much new energy it brings to the table. But visually, musically, and thematically, the blueprint is already strong. And if nothing else, people are already paying attention.
Whether that early buzz actually translates into box office success… well, that remains to be seen. The real question may be whether audiences are genuinely looking forward to this new version, or simply curious to see how it stacks up. On that front, the jury is still out.
Moana is slated to sail into theaters on July 10th.
Official Synopsis:
The ocean chose her for a reason.
In “Moana,” Disney’s live action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.
The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films “Moana” and “Moana 2.” “Moana” features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, and an original score composed by Mancina.
Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” exclusively in theaters on July 10, 2026.