First trailer for Moana – next live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film – arrived. Would you believe that, like most Disney live-action remakes, it plays a lot like an animated film rather than an actual live-action film?
Trailer for the next version Moana looks impressive, that's for sure. It's full of stunning visuals, beautiful music, and familiar characters. It also looks like an animated film. Stunning graphics show characters flying, water defying gravity, and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) transforming into both a bug and a bird. All this is achieved, of course, with the help of digital effects and computer animation. Very similar to previous Disney adaptations. The Lion King, The Little MermaidAnd The Jungle Book – the level of animation reaches a point where you have to wonder what defines these films as “live-action” films, other than the marketing involved.
Be that as it may, this Moana looks at least like a retelling of the original's story, complete with new versions of the songs fans have come to love. Disney's synopsis reads: “Moana answers the Ocean's call and ventures beyond the reef of her island Motunui for the first time with the infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to bring prosperity back to her people.”
Meanwhile, the trailer features a snippet of a new version of the song “How Far I'll Go” performed by Katherine Lagaaia. The young actor takes over the role of Moana from Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced the heroine in the first two films.
The only person not replaced is Johnson, who will play again for Maui. Of course, the character was already reminiscent of Johnson, so having him in the film seemed entirely reasonable.
Perhaps the most important part of the trailer is the final shot. Moana's pet chicken Hei Hei appears and screams at the camera. How else would you introduce the film's real-life mascot?
Live action takes over Moana will be released in theaters on July 10, 2026.
