Ten years after Moana set sail across the open ocean to find the heart of Te Fiti, Disney is bringing the island story back to theaters, this time in live action. On Monday, the studio released the first official teaser trailer for the 2026 remake. <\/p>\n
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui, while 17-year-old Catherine Laga\u2019aia steps in as Moana, per IMDb<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,\u201d Laga\u2019aia told Variety<\/a>. \u201cMy grandfather comes from Fa\u2019aala, Palauli, in Savai\u2019i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of \u2018Upolu in Samoa. I\u2019m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.\u201d <\/p>\n The original 2016 animated film was a phenomenon, sailing to over $643 million at the global box office<\/a> and earning Academy Award<\/a> nominations for best animated feature and best original song in 2017. Its soundtrack, created by Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa\u2019i, earned Billboard Music Awards<\/a> recognition. <\/p>\n For the live-action adaptation, Disney is bringing back several creators in 2026. Jared Bush returns as co-screenwriter alongside Dana Ledoux Miller, with Thomas Kail \u2014 known for directing \u201cHamilton\u201d \u2014 at the helm. Mancina once again leads the score, while Miranda serves as producer, per Disney<\/a>. <\/p>\n The remake was first announced at a shareholder meeting in April 2023, and \u201cmarks the tightest turnaround between an animated Disney film\u2019s original release and the live-action remake: \u201cThe original \u2018Moana\u2019 will be barely 10 years old when the live-action reimagining hits theaters July 10, 2026,\u2033 according to Variety<\/a>. <\/p>\n That tight turnaround has left fans divided. Some viewers feel Disney\u2019s recent live-action remakes remain on thin ice, despite the recent success of \u201cLilo and Stitch<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n Question:<\/p>\n Why are live-action adaptations necessary for animated films?<\/p>\n Do we not have any new ideas for films?<\/p>\n \u2014 Wells (@wellinard) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Even with the release of \u201cMoana 2\u2033 in 2024, some viewers believe Moana\u2019s world still has more to uncover and that the stories of the island\u2019s characters remain unfinished. As a result, many say they would prefer to see new stories, or at least a fully developed sequel, before the studio turns to remaking films. <\/p>\n Moana does not need a live action version……. the last movie already ended in a cliff hanger. At least finish your OG Trilogy 1st!<\/p>\n \u2014 KGE | Coach Copper (@CopperFGC) November 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n