Yes, this is absolutely a live-action version of Moana. It includes all the elements you’d anticipate: Moana herself, singing her well-known song “I Am Moana” (which many have remembered for nearly a decade!), her home island of Motunui, the ocean selecting young Moana to help her people, glimpses of her seafaring ancestors, and even Maui shapeshifting into a hawk.
Absolutely Moana. This trailer suggests the film retells the same story we’ve all known for nine years, potentially following the same plot points.
And it’ll probably make a gazillion dollars.
The recreated scenes generally look great, although one shot of Moana singing feels cheaply made, like it was filmed on a low-budget set. The trailer doesn’t show Dwayne Johnson’s face, but he is returning as Maui – not a stunt double with a digitally altered face. We only see him from behind. We do get a look at Catherine Lagaʻaia, who plays the film’s main hero. John Tui will play her father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams is Moana’s mother, Sina, and Rena Owen will play Gramma Tala.
I’m so excited for the live-action Moana! It’s being directed by Thomas Kai, who also did Hamilton, and I’m really curious to see how closely his version will stick to the original animated movie. We’ll all find out when it hits theaters on July 10, 2026.
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2025-11-17 21:02