Disney unveils first teaser for live-action Moana film

Catherine Laga’aia will play Moana in Disney’s live-action remake coming July 2026

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Catherina Laga'aia as Moana
Image: Disney

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Disney has released a teaser for the live-action Moana, starring Catherine Laga'aia. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui. The film, directed by Thomas Kail, follows Moana's journey to save her island. It is scheduled for release on July 10, 2026.

Key points

  • Disney's released a teaser for the live-action Moana, starring Catherine Laga'aia.
  • Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, aiding Moana to save her island from starvation.
  • The film, directed by Thomas Kail, is set for release on July 10, 2026.

Disney has released the first teaser for its live-action adaptation of Moana, introducing Catherine Laga’aia in the role of the Polynesian princess.

The teaser shows Laga’aia performing How Far I’ll Go as Moana sets sail from Motunui. The film follows the plot of the 2016 animation, which won an Oscar.

Moana attempts to save her island from starvation with assistance from Maui, a demigod.

Disney reveals first look at live-action Moana remake with Dwayne Johnson reprising role

Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui in the remake. The teaser shows him retrieving his fishhook before he transforms into an eagle. The transformation is one of several required to return the heart of Te Fiti.

John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen will play Moana’s father, mother, and grandmother respectively.

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Thomas Kail directs the film, with Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller writing the script. Bush and Miller both worked on Moana 2.

Alan Tudyk will not reprise his role as the rooster HeiHei.

Tudyk explained his absence to Gold Derby, stating: “Everybody calls Heihei a chicken, even though he’s a rooster. So it’s about time they got an actress to put a little more ‘chick’ in the chicken.”

The live-action Moana will be released on July 10, 2026.