'Moana' reveals first look at Dwayne Johnson's live-action Maui
'Moana' reveals first look at Dwayne Johnson's live-action Maui
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYMon, March 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM UTC
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What can he say except you're welcome?
Disney has revealed the first look at Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson bringing his role of Maui to live-action in the remake of "Moana."
The glimpse came in a new trailer for the film released Monday, which showed part of the scene where Moana meets Johnson's demigod character. Johnson, sporting curly hair, doesn't sing in the footage, though the trailer nods at his iconic song from the original when he tells Moana, "You're welcome."
The new trailer also features a look at the live-action versions of Tamatoa, the giant crab who serves as a villain, and Te Kā, the demon.
"Moana" will be an unusual example of an actor from a Disney animated film reprising their same role in the live-action remake. In the animated film "Moana" from 2016, Johnson voiced Maui, an arrogant demigod whom Moana teams up with on her journey to restore the goddess Te Fiti's stolen heart.
Dwayne Johnson as Maui in the live-action remake of "Moana."
Johnson is also a producer on the "Moana" remake and announced the project in 2023. At the time, the "Smashing Machine" star said the story was personal to him, noting that his late grandfather inspired his portrayal of Maui.
"In a way, when I bring Maui to life, I'm doing it in the spirit of my grandfather," he said.
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Moana' live-action remake hits the seas in new trailer
Auliʻi Cravalho was the original voice of Moana in the animated version, but for the remake, newcomer Catherine Laga'aia is taking over the role.
In 2023, Cravalho said she believes it is "vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell," adding that she would pass the baton "to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent."
Cravalho did, however, return to voice Moana in the 2024 animated sequel "Moana 2."
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The live-action "Moana" is hitting theaters just under 10 years after the original, an unusually short gap between a Disney animated movie and its remake. Disney's most recent live-action remake was 2025's "Lilo & Stitch," which hit theaters 23 years after the original. After it grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, a sequel to "Lilo & Stitch" is already in the works and scheduled for 2028.
Dwayne Johnson reveals 'Moana' live-action remake: 'This story is my culture'
Other Disney remakes on the way include a live-action version of "Tangled," starring Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel.
Catherina Laga'aia as Moana in the live-action remake of "Moana."
"Moana" also stars Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, Frankie Adams as Sina and John Tui as Chief Tui. The film hits theaters on July 10.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Moana' live-action remake reveals Dwayne Johnson as Maui
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
