Dwayne Johnson Reveals First Look at Disney’s Live-Action Moana — Catherine Laga’aia’s Powerful Performance and Maui’s Return Send Waves Through Hollywood
The ocean is calling again — but this time, in live action. Disney has unveiled the first footage from its upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana, and even in a brief teaser, the world that became a cultural touchstone for millions feels instantly familiar. The sunlight over the water, the woven sails catching wind, the voice of a young wayfinder standing against the horizon — the imagery carries the weight of a story that defined a generation of Disney fans. But what makes this moment feel so striking is not simply the nostalgia of returning to a beloved world. It is seeing Moana reimagined in living form, with a new leading actress stepping into one of the most celebrated roles in recent Disney history.
Catherine Laga’aia — a 17-year-old Australian actress of Samoan descent — appears onscreen for only a few seconds in the teaser released Monday. Yet her presence is commanding enough to spark instant conversation. Her hair blows in the salt-heavy wind, her expression balances joy and determination, and her first spoken lines carry the same spirit that made millions of young people, especially young girls of Pacific heritage, see themselves in Moana for the first time in 2016. Disney’s original animated film was praised for avoiding many of the tropes associated with earlier princess stories — Moana had no love interest, no desire to escape her homeland, and no magical transformation into royalty. She was already a leader, already chosen, already brave. The teaser suggests that Catherine Laga’aia understands that spirit deeply.
While the teaser focuses visually on Moana herself, the world already knows what the second half of this cinematic equation looks like. Dwayne Johnson, returning as Maui, did more than confirm his involvement — he personally revealed the first footage. During a global broadcast shared across Disney platforms, Johnson stood smiling alongside the teaser, explaining how meaningful it was to bring Maui — a character he once described as “my ancestor, my DNA” — to life outside of animation. Johnson has repeated in multiple interviews that Maui is inspired by his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia. For many Polynesian families, that legacy gives the character weight far beyond screen presence. Maui is mischievous, charismatic, and larger than life — but he is also rooted in cultural heritage stretching long before the film existed.
The live-action adaptation was first announced in April 2023, with Johnson standing barefoot on a Hawaiian beach, holding Maui’s hook in the sand as children played behind him. It was a symbolic reveal, evoking the cultural grounding that made Moana stand out. Disney has learned from experience that live-action adaptations come with expectations that go beyond simple visual upgrades. When The Lion King was remade, critics debated whether hyper-realistic animals could carry emotion the way animation once did. When Aladdin was reimagined, audiences scrutinized casting, music, and cultural representation. With Moana, the pressure is even higher, because the animated film is still recent — and beloved — enough that many fans feel protective of its legacy.
Yet the response to the teaser has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans praised Catherine Laga’aia’s presence, noting that her casting aligns with the cultural authenticity Disney promised. Many celebrated the decision to cast a teenager rather than a fully grown adult in the role of a 16-year-old character. When she was announced, Laga’aia said she felt honored, especially because her extended family includes Samoan, Māori, and Tongan roots — the same regions whose mythology and traditions helped inspire the original film. Disney, which faced criticism in the past for casting decisions in culturally significant stories, appears to be making representation a priority here.
Johnson’s participation may be the biggest guarantee of authenticity. He is not only reprising the role — he is one of the film’s producers. In interviews, he has spoken about spending years wanting to push Polynesian stories into the mainstream, especially for children who rarely see their heritage represented on global stages. Maui’s personality is already iconic: the raised eyebrow, the booming voice, the boastful anthem “You’re Welcome.” Johnson has practically fused his public persona with Maui since 2016. The live-action version promises more physical comedy, more improvised charm, and — if the set reports are true — an impressive interpretation of Maui’s tattoos through practical and digital effects.
The teaser does not yet show Maui, and that restraint seems intentional. Disney is building anticipation slowly, releasing only enough footage to confirm the tone: golden light, sweeping ocean shots, the sails of a waka cutting through the water. The visuals appear warmer, more textured, designed to echo Polynesian artistry rather than mimic the animation frame-by-frame. Moana’s costume is recreated with stunning fidelity, including traditional tapa cloth patterns and the iconic green stone necklace. Fans noticed instantly. Comment sections across platforms filled with viewers writing things like “She looks perfect,” “Moana lives,” and “I have chills just hearing her voice.”
The live-action version arrives during a transitional era for Disney. The studio is restructuring, expanding its theatrical lineups while reevaluating how streaming affects box office potential. Recent releases like The Little Mermaid proved that even when reviews are divided, nostalgia-powered adaptations garner huge cultural response. But Moana is different from Disney’s mid-20th century classics. It is not an old story being modernized; it is a recent one being reinterpreted. That alone raises questions about motivation. Some industry watchers believe the project is partly driven by Disney’s desire to secure long-term franchise value. Others think it emerged from a genuine desire to deepen Polynesian visibility in mainstream film — something Johnson repeatedly emphasizes. Both things can be true, and in Hollywood, they often are.
Catherine Laga’aia’s casting was announced only after a global search. Disney confirmed that hundreds of young actresses were considered. The importance of the role goes far beyond box office numbers. Moana is not simply a Disney character — she has become a symbol for representation in animated film, inspiring countless children to dress like her, sing her songs, and speak proudly about their ancestry. In classrooms across Pacific communities, teachers have used Moana’s story to spark cultural lessons. The live-action adaptation, if successful, will amplify that impact.
There are other returning elements. Opetaia Foa’i, Mark Mancina, and Lin-Manuel Miranda — the trio responsible for the animated soundtrack — are involved in the new version. Whether the original songs remain unchanged is not confirmed, but Johnson has hinted that fans “will hear the classics again.” That includes “How Far I’ll Go,” a song that became a global anthem of self-discovery and topped streaming charts for years.
Part of the emotional impact of the teaser comes from hearing familiar music under new visuals. Disney uses only a faint musical cue, but it is enough. Fans don’t need a full chorus — the sound of a single rising note triggers memory. It is the same emotional technique used in The Lion King teaser, the same strategy that powered the buzz around Beauty and the Beast. Disney understands the emotional bonds its audience carries.
Reactions on social platforms show a striking commonality: adults who loved the original saying they will take their children to see this version. It is a generational passing of fandom — which is exactly why Disney continues to invest in live-action reinterpretations. They are not just movies; they are shared memories being refreshed.
Still, some questions remain. Will the live-action format capture the mythic fantasy of the animated ocean, which behaved almost like a character? Will emotional expression translate with the same clarity? Fans remember every micro-expression of animated Moana — her frustration, her stubborn courage, her awe at the world beyond the reef. Live-action adaptations risk losing exaggerated emotional clarity, but they gain something else: physical texture. Light on skin. Wind through real hair. Ocean spray hitting a real sail. If done well, the immersion may feel surprisingly powerful.
For now, audiences only have a glimpse — but it is enough to spark global attention. Dwayne Johnson, who remains one of the world’s most influential entertainers, shared the footage with a tone that was partly hype, partly reverence. He spoke of the crew, the cultural consultants, and the Pacific Island communities that guided the project. His language suggested a personal responsibility — not just an acting opportunity.
One detail worth noting: Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, is not starring in the live-action film. She is, however, an executive producer. In a public statement, she said she chose not to return because she believes the role should be portrayed by a young Pacific Island actress whose face will represent Moana for a new generation. That decision, met with widespread respect, added credibility to the casting process. It also confirmed that the original Moana is still part of the creative DNA of the film, watching over the process from behind the camera.
In a movie landscape filled with sequels, reboots, and franchise spinoffs, some projects still feel like events. Live-action Moana has become one — not because Disney insisted, but because fans wanted this world to live again. The ocean always called Moana back in the story. Now the audience is answering their own version of that call, waiting to set sail again, waiting to see whether a story they loved still holds its magic in a new form.
If the first teaser is any sign, the ocean hasn’t lost its voice — it simply changed mediums.
