Disney is back with another live-action adaptation of one of their beloved animated films. This time, it’s Moana, with a first look at Catherine Laga’aia as the live-action titular role in the first trailer. Laga’aia sings Moana’s most famous song, “How Far I’ll Go,” throughout the trailer, showing many scenes that replicate the original animated feature. The trailer shows a first look at the Island of Motunui, Moana’s home, and its people, plus the shapeshifting Demigod, Maui, and the Kakamora tribe.
Along with newcomer Laga’aia, John Tui plays Moana’s father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams plays Moana’s mother, Sina, and Rena Owen plays Moana’s Gramma, Tala. Dwayne Johnson, who portrayed Maui in the original animated feature, is reprising his role as the admired Demigod.
While Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice actor of Moana, is not reprising her role as the teen, she serves as an executive producer of the live-action film.
Moana follows Moana as she goes on a journey to save her people, with the help of Maui.
Thomas Kail helmed the film with a script by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda serve as producers. Executive producers are Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Cravalho.
Moana earned $643 million at the global box office, Miranda earned an Oscar nomination for “How Far I’ll Go,” and the film was also nominated for Best Animated Feature.
Disney’s live-action resume has been pretty hit-or-miss, with live-action Lilo & Stitch being a hugely successful summer box office hit, but Snow White‘s live-action adaptation did not see the same success during its time in theaters. However, Barry Jenkins’ The Lion King prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, also had a strong showing when it debuted. Until Moana debuts, it will be a toss-up whether the film will experience the same success or misfortune that Disney’s live-action films seem to have.
Disney’s live-action Moana is set to release in theaters on July 10, 2026. Check out the first trailer below.
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