What else can he say except, “You’re welcome”?
In a new trailer, Disney has revealed the first look at Dwayne Johnson as Maui in the live-action “Moana” remake. Johnson voiced the once-mighty demigod in the original 2016 animated film, which follows an adventurous teenager named Moana as she embarks on a quest to save her village on the island of Motunui.
Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia plays the titular character in the upcoming live-action film. Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in both the 2016 original and its 2024 sequel, serves as an executive producer alongside director Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon and Charles Newirth. Producers include Johnson, Beau Flynn (for FlynnPictureCo), Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia (via their Seven Bucks Productions banner), and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
In addition to Laga’aia and Johnson, the live-action film cast includes John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen as Moana’s Gramma Tala. The screenplay is written by Dana Ledoux Miller and Jared Bush, who wrote the script for 2016’s “Moana.”
The live-action adaptation features music by Mark Mancina, Miranda and Opetaia Foa’i; Mancina returned to score the film.
The 2016 animated movie was a both critical and commercial success, grossing $643 million at the global box office (not adjusted for inflation). The film was nominated for best animated feature at the Oscars, and Miranda scored a nom for the original song “How Far I’ll Go.”
The live-action “Moana” is making its way to theaters on July 10.
Check out Johnson’s full look as Maui in the trailer below.