‘Moana’ Live-Action Trailer: Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson Bring Disney’s Ocean Adventure to Life
Make way! Disney has released the first trailer for the live-action remake of “Moana,” starring Catherine Laga‘aia as the titular character. Like the original 2016 animated movie, the live-action film will once again star Dwayne Johnson as Maui, a once-mighty demigod who aids the adventurous young teenager on a quest to save her island and its people.
Though Johnson reprises his role from the animated films, Moana (originally played by Auli’i Cravalho) is now played by young newcomer Laga’aia.
“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said 17-year-old Laga‘aia. “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.”
John Tui will play Moana’s father Chief Tui, while Frankie Adams will play Moana’s mother Sina. Rena Owen also stars as Gramma Tala.
The first animated “Moana” was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, with a script from Jared Bush and featuring music by Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foaʻi. Bush returns to the live-action “Moana” as co-screenwriter alongside Dana Ledoux Miller, with Thomas Kail directing. Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Beau Flynn will produce. Mark Mancina returns to score the film, while Miranda will produce.
First announced at a shareholder meeting in April 2023, the live-action “Moana” marks the tightest turnaround between an animated Disney film’s original release and the live-action remake: The original “Moana” will be barely 10 years old when the live-action reimagining hits theaters July 10, 2026.
