Give way! Disney has released the first trailer for the live-action remake of Moana starring Katherine LaGaia as the title character. As with the original 2016 animated film, the live-action film stars Dwayne Johnson once again in the lead role as Maui, a once-powerful demigod who helps an adventurous teenager on his journey to save an island and its people.
Johnson will be reprising her role from the animated film, but Moana (originally played by Auli’i Cravalho) will be played by young newcomer LaGaia.
“Moana is one of my favorites, so I’m really excited to embrace this character,” said Lagaia, 17. “My grandfather is from Faala, Parauri, on the island of Savaii, and my grandmother is from Leulmoega Tuai, on the main island of Upolu in Samoa. I am honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Islanders and represent young girls who look like me.”
John Tsui plays Moana’s father, Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams plays Moana’s mother, Sheena. Lena Owen also stars as Gramma Tara.
The first animated film, Moana, was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, with a screenplay by Jared Bush and music by Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Opetaia Foai. Director Bush will return as co-writer with Dana Ledoux Miller on the live-action version of Moana, which will be directed by Thomas Kail. Johnson, Danny Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Beau Flynn will produce. Mark Mancina is in charge of the music and Miranda is the producer.
The live-action version of Moana, first announced at the company’s April 2023 shareholder meeting, marks the tightest turnaround between the original release and live-action remake of a Disney animated film. The original version of Moana will be less than 10 years old when the live-action version is released in theaters on July 10, 2026.
Check out the trailer below.
