Disney just pulled the curtain back on its live-action Moana, and the internet is already on fire. The studio released a brand new trailer, poster, and a behind-the-scenes featurette on March 23, giving audiences their first real look at Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson in full Maui mode. But while the visuals are massive, the reactions are split right down the middle.
What the New Moana Trailer Reveals
8 The trailer brings the magic of the animated classic to life, featuring an epic voyage across the sea, whales breaching the surface, and a look at the Cave of the Ancestors. 8 Fans will also recognize several familiar faces making their live-action debut, including the mischievous Kakamora, the stowaway rooster Heihei, and the giant crab Tamatoa. 24 In the new trailer, we see Moana’s Gramma Tala explaining what her granddaughter needs to do to save her island and her people by tracking down shapeshifting demigod Maui. 24 We also get to hear a taste of Laga’aia’s performance of Moana’s signature song, “How Far I’ll Go,” and a preview of her famous “I am Moana!” battle cry.
The stakes feel personal this time around. 8Moana declares in the end of the trailer, “My island, my people… won’t survive if we don’t make it. The ocean chose me for a reason.”
1 Disney also released an “Artistry of Moana” featurette with commentary from Johnson, Laga’aia, director Thomas Kail, costume designer Liz McGregor, and choreographer Tiana Nonosina Liufau. The studio is clearly positioning this as more than just a remake. It wants audiences to see a carefully crafted live-action event built around music, movement, and real performance.
Disney live-action Moana trailer Catherine Lagaia Dwayne Johnson Maui 2026
Meet the Cast Behind the Reimagining
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Laga’aia is a name most people have not heard before. But that is about to change. 12Born in Sydney, Australia, the 18-year-old has acting in her genes. 12She is one of eight children of New Zealand-Australian actor Jay Laga’aia, who portrayed Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II and Star Wars: Episode III.
Her connection to the role goes beyond the screen. 17“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” Laga’aia said. “My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”
2 Auli’i Cravalho voiced Moana in the animated films, but she declined to reprise the role in live-action because she wanted to pave the way for another Pacific Islander to take on the part. 5 She now serves as an executive producer alongside director Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon and Charles Newirth.
Here is the full key cast:
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Moana | Catherine Laga’aia |
| Maui | Dwayne Johnson |
| Chief Tui | John Tui |
| Sina | Frankie Adams |
| Gramma Tala | Rena Owen |
The Creative Team Steering This Ship
10 Moana is an upcoming American musical adventure film that is a live-action adaptation of Disney Animation’s 2016 film and the third installment in the Moana franchise. It is being directed by Thomas Kail from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller.
This is Kail’s feature film debut. 4He is the filmmaker behind the series “We Were the Lucky Ones,” “Fosse/Verdon,” and the filmed versions of the stage shows Grease Live! and Hamilton. His background in musical theater makes him a logical choice for a story that lives and breathes through song.
5 The live-action adaptation features music by Mark Mancina, Miranda and Opetaia Foa’i, with Mancina returning to score the film. 10 Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was a songwriter for the original film, also returned. He was not involved with Moana 2 due to scheduling conflicts. His return is a big deal. Miranda’s original songs were the heartbeat of the 2016 film, and having him back adds creative credibility that Moana 2 lacked. 10 Principal photography occurred in Atlanta and Hawaii between July and November 2024.
Why Disney Is Betting Big on Moana
The numbers tell the story. 25The original 2016 Moana grossed over $643.3 million worldwide. 30Moana 2 sent the movie to $460.4M at the domestic box office and $1.05 billion globally. 33Since hitting theaters in 2016, Moana has consistently been among the Top 10 most-streamed movies of the year, and in 2023, the film crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+.
Disney’s live-action strategy is also riding high. 27Disney’s live-action Lilo and Stitch cleared the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, becoming the first Hollywood pic of 2025 to achieve the milestone.
Here is a quick look at how the Moana franchise has performed:
| Film | Year | Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Moana (Animated) | 2016 | $643 million |
| Moana 2 (Animated) | 2024 | $1.05 billion |
| Lilo and Stitch (Live-Action) | 2025 | $1 billion+ |
10 Moana is scheduled to be released on July 10, 2026, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the franchise. 10 It was originally scheduled for release on June 27, 2025, but following the announcement of Moana 2, it was delayed one year to its current date.
Social Media Reactions Are All Over the Map
The trailer hit the internet and the debate started instantly. 35While the trailer garnered some positive buzz, online reactions were mixed.
On the positive side, 35one user on X wrote, “Catherine Laga’aia as Moana looks absolutely perfect in the trailer.” Parents with young kids seem excited too. One user noted their 11-year-old daughter loved it and asked, “I wonder who the target audience is.”
But Johnson’s look as Maui has become the lightning rod. 36Though he was the original voice of the character, the actor’s full live-action form has received mixed reactions on social media. In the trailer, he appears with prosthetics, magical tattoos, and long flowing hair, sparking a discussion online.
Director Thomas Kail addressed the hair challenge directly: “We knew that it had to be something that could have real lift to it. Because you’re doing this on the water, ‘what does it look like wet?’ is a real conversation when you’re making Moana.”
37 Some are just objecting to there being another seemingly shot-for-shot remake of a Disney movie, while the fact that Moana was released only ten years ago certainly is not helping. 40 Unlike older Disney remakes, this adaptation arrives less than a decade after the original, meaning audiences are still emotionally connected to the animated version.
The big question remains: will the debate matter at the box office? 25Not always do the live-action movies perform well, and the biggest example is last year’s Snow White. 25On the other hand, if done right, they can work box-office wonders like Lilo and Stitch.
Whether you are excited, skeptical, or somewhere in between, one thing is clear. Moana is not just a movie for Disney. It is a cultural touchstone that means something real to Pacific Islander communities around the world, and Catherine Laga’aia carrying that torch forward is the kind of moment that goes beyond box office numbers. The ocean is calling again this July, and millions will answer. What do you think of the live-action Moana trailer? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.
