Dwayne Johnson’s Live-Action Maui Debuts in New ‘Moana’ Trailer

Disney is creating a live-action version of Moana just ten years after the original animated film (and only two years after its sequel). Notably, one of the actors who voiced a character in the animation will now play that same character in the live-action movie.

The image shows Dwayne Johnson playing the demigod Maui in Moana 2.0 (the working title). The full trailer reveals Johnson with Maui’s famous tattoos and impressively muscular physique. While he’s in great shape, he isn’t quite as wide as the animated version of the character. And, unsurprisingly, his hair is different from the animated Maui’s – it’s clear he’s wearing a hairpiece!

Here is a side by side…

The first look at Dwayne Johnson as live-action Maui appeared in the new Moana trailer, which is available to watch below. Whether it’s the animated or live-action version, the two films look remarkably alike, even including the supporting characters.

This film brings together key creative talents from the hit musical Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs, and Thomas Kail, who directed both the Broadway production and the Disney+ film version of Hamilton, directed this movie as well. Catherine Lagaʻaia stars as the live-action version of the main character, while Auliʻi Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, is still involved as a producer.

There’s a new poster for the film as well:

Here is the remake’s official synopsis:

Disney’s live-action take on the popular animated film “Moana” follows Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) as she embarks on a remarkable voyage beyond her island home, Motunui. Guided by the ocean, she teams up with the legendary demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her people and bring back prosperity.

Moana (in live-action) is scheduled to premiere in theaters on July 10.

The Best Movies on Disney+ Every Film Lover Must Watch

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Disney became famous for its short animated films, and in 1937, they created their first full-length animated feature. Even if the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs doesn’t appeal to you, it’s a hugely important film in animation history and worth watching. Plus, a recent restoration makes the version on Disney+ look fantastic.

Pinocchio (1940)

Many of Walt Disney’s first animated movies are now classics, but they weren’t all immediately successful. Today, Pinocchio is celebrated as a masterpiece, but it actually failed at the box office when it first came out. The studio lost around $1 million – a significant amount of money back then – partly because World War II was impacting movie ticket sales overseas. Disney re-released the film several times over the years, and it eventually became profitable. This proves that a movie’s success isn’t always determined by its initial release. (P.S. Definitely watch the original animated version, not the recent live-action remake – unless you’re looking for a way to annoy someone!)

The Three Caballeros (1944)

While not considered one of Disney’s greatest early animated films, The Three Caballeros remains an interesting part of the studio’s story. Originally created as a series of shorts to celebrate Donald Duck’s 10th anniversary, the film features lovely hand-drawn animation, upbeat music, and a pioneering blend of animation and live-action. The characters – Donald, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles – have remained popular for decades, with a ride at Epcot and a recent TV series, Legend of the Three Caballeros, to their credit.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Sleeping Beauty is arguably the most beautiful of all the classic Disney films, and it’s worth watching for the visuals alone. However, it’s baffling that the fairies spent almost 16 years secretly protecting the princess without using any magic, only to let her wander into danger on the very day they feared most – and then used a bunch of spells for a simple birthday party?! Seriously, what were those fairies thinking? Despite this odd choice, Sleeping Beauty is a visually stunning film, but I wouldn’t trust those fairies to babysit!

Star Wars (1977)

It remains the original and, arguably, still the best. Even after 50 years, the dynamic between the characters, the thrilling sense of adventure, and the iconic final battle with the Death Star haven’t been surpassed – and many have tried, often by simply copying it. While there are other ways to judge a film’s quality, I often find myself revisiting this one, even with countless other options available on streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

While many people love The Muppet Movie, I’ve always preferred its sequel – a really funny and charming heist movie featuring the Muppets. It’s thoroughly enjoyable throughout, and honestly, if it had just a bit more footage of Charles Grodin pursuing Miss Piggy, it would be perfect.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The Indiana Jones movies perfectly combined George Lucas’ love for classic, fun adventures with Steven Spielberg’s incredible talent for exciting action scenes. This successful mix resulted in four additional Indiana Jones films (and a TV show), but the original, Raiders of the Lost Ark, remains the best. While it might not be Spielberg’s most emotionally deep film, it’s arguably the one worth preserving above all others, simply because it’s endlessly rewatchable and enjoyable.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Similar to This Is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride wasn’t a huge success when it first came out in theaters. But over time, and thanks to being shown on cable TV a lot, it became one of the most popular children’s movies of the late 1900s. The film centers around a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading a story to his sick grandson (Fred Savage) about the courageous Westley (Cary Elwes) and his quest to save his true love, Buttercup (Robin Wright), from a group of villains, including the cunning Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) and the skilled swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin). While it’s aimed at children, it’s also clever, romantic, and exciting enough for adults to enjoy.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

It’s easy to argue that Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of the most important films of the last half-century – I’ve made that case before. It completely changed animation by seamlessly blending it with live action, but it’s also a fantastic detective story, a charming buddy cop film, a genuinely funny comedy, and surprisingly scary for kids. I personally had nightmares about the villain, Dip, when I was younger – lots of them!

The Little Mermaid (1989)

I grew up watching The Little Mermaid over and over – it and all those other Disney movies from the Renaissance era came out at the perfect time for those of us who were kids in the ’80s. Now that I’m sharing those films with my own kids, I’m seeing them with fresh eyes. Honestly, as someone who’s seen a lot of movies, what really blows me away about The Little Mermaid now is how beautiful the animation of Ariel’s hair is underwater. It’s just so much fun to watch it float! Of course, the music is amazing, but seriously, the hair is incredible!

The Rocketeer (1991)

“The Rocketeer” represents a fascinating moment for Disney – a try at creating their own superhero universe before they bought Marvel. While it didn’t quite take off, becoming a single film, it did later inspire an animated series. The movie still resonates today, perhaps because its historical setting gives it a timeless quality. It’s a fun story about an ordinary pilot who discovers a special jetpack and becomes a hero.

Aladdin (1992)

“A Whole New World” with Peabo and Regina, best end credits song ever. ’Nuff said!

Finding Nemo (2003)

For me, even though there are other Pixar films I might put slightly higher, Finding Nemo just feels like the most quintessential Pixar movie. It hits all the classic notes: a buddy road trip, but underwater, which is brilliant! And the supporting characters are incredible – seriously, the fish in the dentist’s office could carry their own film. Beyond that, the ending is genuinely gripping, but what really gets me is the emotional core of a dad desperately trying to rescue his son. It’s just a beautiful story.

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Without the need to establish Spider-Man’s backstory and a new adventure in one film, Sam Raimi crafted a compelling story in Spider-Man 2 focusing on Peter Parker’s relationship with a gifted scientist (Alfred Molina, delivering what many consider the best performance in any Spider-Man movie). This scientist is ultimately corrupted by his own unchecked ambition and a dangerous set of robotic arms.

Even after 20 years, the film still looks fantastic—the train sequence remains a standout moment in the entire Marvel universe. The relentless challenges Peter Parker faces make the film’s ultimately happy, yet poignant, ending all the more rewarding.

Inside Out (2015)

Even before becoming Pixar’s chief creative officer, Pete Docter was known as a creative force at the studio. He contributed as a writer to beloved films like Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and WALL-E, and went on to direct some of Pixar’s most acclaimed movies: Monsters, Inc., Up, and Inside Out. Inside Out is a particularly imaginative film, telling the story of an 11-year-old girl named Riley whose move from Minnesota to San Francisco disrupts her life and sparks a conflict between the personified emotions in her mind. The film’s depiction of Riley’s inner world is visually stunning and endlessly creative. Beyond its captivating visuals, Inside Out is a remarkably insightful exploration of the vital role sadness and grief play in our lives, and remains a highlight of Docter’s impressive career.

2026-03-23 19:58