Disney's Live-Action Moana Trailer Debuts Starring Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson
Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action adaptation of Moana, starring Catherine Laga’aia as the adventurous title character and Dwayne Johnson as the shape-shifting demigod Maui. The highly anticipated remake is directed by Thomas Kail and is scheduled for release on July 10, 2026.
Disney reveals the first live-action Moana trailer featuring Catherine Laga’aia, Dwayne Johnson, and the iconic song “How Far I’ll Go,” hitting theaters July 2026.
Disney
The trailer highlights Laga’aia performing the iconic song “How Far I’ll Go,” a central piece from the original 2016 animated film. Fans also get a first look at the vibrant world of Motunui, including Moana’s family—John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala—alongside the fearsome Kakamora tribe.
Moana’s journey takes her beyond the shores of Motunui, where she partners with Maui to protect her people. The live-action version is scripted by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, with Thomas Kail, Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda producing. Executive producers include Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, and Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in both the 2016 film and its 2024 sequel.
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui, which he first voiced in the original animated movie. The 2016 version featured Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Rachel House, earning $643 million globally ($870 million today) and an Oscar nomination for Miranda’s “How Far I’ll Go.”
Disney continues to prioritize live-action remakes of its animated hits, following the success of Lilo & Stitch and Mufasa: The Lion King. The studio recently restarted development on a live-action Tangled after earlier delays, seeking to build on the growing popularity of its live-action adaptations.