First Look: The Rock Returns as Maui in Live-Action ‘Moana’ Trailer

Disney has finally given fans what they’ve been waiting for: a proper first look at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the demigod Maui in the upcoming live-action Moana remake. The new trailer, released March 23, showcases Johnson in full Maui regalia, complete with signature tattoos, flowing black hair, and a presence that captures the larger-than-life character he first voiced in the 2016 animated classic.

The trailer offers sweeping shots of Johnson’s Maui in action, including a glimpse of the iconic moment when Moana first meets the boastful demigod on her island. While the footage doesn’t feature Johnson singing his famous hit “You’re Welcome,” it does include a playful nod when Maui tells the young navigator exactly that.

For Johnson, bringing Maui to life on screen is deeply personal. The actor has spoken openly about how his late grandfather, the legendary High Chief Peter Maivia, inspired his animated portrayal, and now serves as the spiritual foundation for his live-action performance.

“In a way, when I bring Maui to life, I’m doing it in the spirit of my grandfather,” Johnson said when the project was first announced in 2023. The actor also serves as a producer on the film through his Seven Bucks Productions banner .

The live-action Moana marks a rare instance of an actor reprising their voice role from a Disney animated film in the corresponding live-action remake.

While Johnson returns, the titular role of Moana has been passed to newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia, a young actress of Pacific Island descent. Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original 2016 film and its 2024 sequel, stepped back from the role to serve as an executive producer on the remake.

“It is vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell,” Cravalho said when she announced she would pass the baton “to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent”.

The new trailer also offers glimpses of other beloved characters brought to life. Fans can spot the live-action versions of Tamatoa, the giant glitter-obsessed crab, and the fiery demon Te Kā, as well as returning favorites like Moana’s pet pig Pua and the hapless rooster Hei Hei.

The supporting cast includes John Tui as Chief Tui (Moana’s father), Frankie Adams as Sina (her mother), and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. The film is directed by Thomas Kail, best known for his work on the Broadway phenomenon “Hamilton”.

Fans who have followed the production closely may recall that Johnson’s Maui look has been a topic of discussion since set photos leaked in late 2024. The actor later revealed that the physique seen in the film is achieved through a carefully crafted muscle suit that takes hours to put on each day.

“That [suit] is a couple of hours every day of transforming, putting that on,” Johnson told Extra. When fans complimented his bulked-up appearance, he added, “When you say, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell” .

The live-action Moana is scheduled to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, marking nearly a decade since the original animated film captivated audiences worldwide. The 2016 version earned $643 million at the global box office and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Original composer Lin-Manuel Miranda returns alongside Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina to contribute music, ensuring the new film will carry the same musical magic that made the original so beloved.