Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action "Moana," signaling the hero's return, Yahoo reported on Monday. The new adaptation stars newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, alongside Dwayne Johnson, who is reprising his 2016 role as the demigod Māui. The preview, which Yahoo notes seems to be a near shot-for-shot remake, opens with the breakout song "How Far I'll Go" and shows Māui in his bird form, though Johnson himself is not yet shown.
Auli'i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, is not returning to the titular role but confirmed her involvement as an executive producer in 2023, Yahoo noted. She previously informed TheWrap that she is determined to create more Hollywood opportunities for Pacific Islanders, calling this film the first step.
"It feels really important to me to pass the baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, and I say that with my whole chest," Cravalho told TheWow. "I have been invited, and I exist in these beautiful AAPI spaces, Asian American Pacific Islander, and I am one of the few Pacific Islanders. And I'll say it again, I am one of the few Pacific Islanders... I want to tell our own stories. I want to be behind the camera as much as I am in front of it."
Cravalho continued, telling TheWrap she wants to see representation improve in writers rooms and among directors, adding, "I cannot wait to meet the next Moana." That new star, Laga'aia, previously appeared in "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart" but marks her first lead role here, according to Yahoo. The cast also includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.
Thomas Kail, the director behind Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Hamilton," will make his feature film debut directing the project, Yahoo reported. Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia are producing via Seven Bucks Productions, along with Beau Flynn of Flynn Picture Co. Cravalho and Scott Sheldon are executive producers. The release of "Moana" is scheduled for theaters on July 10, 2026.
