If you thought Moana (2016) already carved its way into cinematic history with that fearless voyage beyond the reef, and if Moana 2 reminded us that the call of the ocean never truly quiets. Then brace yourself, because Disney just dropped a live-action trailer that feels like the tide pulling us right back into the adventure. But this time, it’s different. This time, the waves look real enough to sting your eyes. Catherine Lagaʻaia is stepping into Moana’s legacy with a presence that hums with ancestral fire. Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui, chest-out, eyebrow raised and all swagger. It’s the familiar story we love, but suddenly, it feels like we’re seeing it with our own feet in the sand.
The most striking shift? The lead. Catherine Lagaʻaia steps into the role of Moana. A new face, with her first big film, embodying that insistent ocean-calling-adventure energy. According to reports, her grandfather hails from Fa’aala, Palauli (Savai’i) and her grandmother from Leulumoega Tuai (Upolu, Samoa). That matters. The original animated film already had cultural resonance and this live-action version seems determined to deepen that. Then there’s Dwayne Johnson, yes, “The Rock” himself, returning as Maui. What this means is that the film is staking claim to both spectacle and identity. The casting makes bold statements about representation, lineage and the weight the story carries.
Visually and tonally, the trailer offers glimpses that feel both familiar and fresh. We see Moana’s connection to the sea, the cresting waves and the horizon that calls. Maui’s transformation sequences with his hook, his shifts show the magic that still reverberates. Moments of familial tension, of island community, of internal conflict, portray the heart of the story is still beating. Yet, the trailer also keeps plenty under wraps. We don’t see full sequences and we don’t know exactly how the story will diverge. And we are ultimately left with questioning, how faithful it will be, what’s new and what’s re-imagined.
So leaning into emotional resonance here. If the original Moana was about finding your way, listening to the ocean, stepping out beyond the reef, this trailer suggests the live-action version wants to own that journey even more. Lagaʻaia is quoted saying: “I’m honoured to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.” That line lands. Representation becomes the canvas. And for fans like you and me, there’s nostalgia, yes, with a blend of curiosity. How will the jump from animation to live-action affect the mythic scale? Will the ocean feel the same? Will Maui’s swagger translate? Will the choreography, the music, the soul of the first film survive and evolve?
The trailer for Moana’s live-action version gives me hope. It isn’t perfectly polished yet (trailers rarely are), but it radiates ambition. It wants to anchor you in the swirl of salt, song, heritage, and high seas and that’s a good sign. If you’re someone who already loved the 2016 film (and yes, that includes me), this one is for you. The horizon beckons again. Can this live-action vessel carry the same spirit and then some? Time will tell, but I’m already tightening the sail.
Good news: we won’t be left hanging. Catch Disney’s live-action Moana on the big screen from 10 July 2026.
