Disney Releases Trailer For Live-Action 'Moana'

TV & Film

Nov 18

Moana holds onto the sail of a boat as it travels, with the poster for the film covering most of the sail — Image Source: CultureSlate

A first look at the live-action Moana has been provided by Disney, who released the first teaser trailer and poster for the film. The trailer shows Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, and Dwayne Johnson as Maui – the shapeshifting demigod. The island of Motunui and its people also feature within the trailer.

Other cast members who have been revealed all come from New Zealand. John Tui takes the role of Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui, while Frankie Adams takes the role of Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina. Rena Owen takes the role of Moana’s revered Gramma Tala.

Emmy and Tony Award winner Thomas Kail is directing the live-action adaptation of Moana, with it being produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. One of the executive producers is Auli’i Cravalho, voice actor of Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2. Other executive producers include Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon, and Charles Newirth.

Disney’s Moana sees the live-action adaptation recreate the popular story for new audiences. A story where Moana will “answer the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.” The magic of the journey, and of its songs, can be found when Moana arrives in theatres July 10, 2026. Check out the trailer below.