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Tag: Moana

  • Watch: First trailer for ‘Moana’ live-action remake released

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    I am Loves my island. the It calls me

    Watch: First trailer for ‘Moana’ live-action remake released

    Updated: 4:39 PM PST Nov 17, 2025

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    Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action remake of “Moana,” starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson. Based on the animated version, the live-action version (also titled “Moana”) was announced in 2023 and is slated for release on July 10, 2026. Disney has now released the first trailer for the remake, which follows the same story as the animation, giving fans a first look at the island and people of Motunui.In April 2023, Dwayne Johnson announced that he would be returning as his character, Maui, from the animated original.“Deeply humbled to announce we’re bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the live action big screen!” he wrote along with a video of him and his two younger daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, at the beach in O‘ahu. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength. I wear our culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. We’re honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story through the realm of music and dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people. Much more to come, but until then What can I saaaaaay except…You’re welcome.”Also featured in the new trailer is Lagaʻaia as Moana, as well as Johnson as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, who can only be seen from behind as he takes on the form of an eagle.Per the trailer, the movie will feature songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original soundtrack, including “I Am Moana”, which Lagaʻaia sings throughout the teaser.Released in 2016, the original Disney Animation Studios film followed the titular character, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho. Moana attempted to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, with the help of demigod Maui.”Moana,” the live-action remake, will release in theaters on July 10, 2026.

    Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action remake of “Moana,” starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson.

    Based on the animated version, the live-action version (also titled “Moana”) was announced in 2023 and is slated for release on July 10, 2026. Disney has now released the first trailer for the remake, which follows the same story as the animation, giving fans a first look at the island and people of Motunui.

    In April 2023, Dwayne Johnson announced that he would be returning as his character, Maui, from the animated original.

    “Deeply humbled to announce we’re bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the live action big screen!” he wrote along with a video of him and his two younger daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, at the beach in O‘ahu. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength. I wear our culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. We’re honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story through the realm of music and dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people. Much more to come, but until then What can I saaaaaay except…You’re welcome.”

    Also featured in the new trailer is Lagaʻaia as Moana, as well as Johnson as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, who can only be seen from behind as he takes on the form of an eagle.

    Per the trailer, the movie will feature songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original soundtrack, including “I Am Moana”, which Lagaʻaia sings throughout the teaser.

    Released in 2016, the original Disney Animation Studios film followed the titular character, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho. Moana attempted to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, with the help of demigod Maui.

    “Moana,” the live-action remake, will release in theaters on July 10, 2026.

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  • ‘Moana’ Live-Action Trailer Reveals First Footage of Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson

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    Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson are set to make a splash with the first trailer for Disney‘s live-action feature adaptation of Moana.

    Director Thomas Kail’s remake of the original 2016 animated film hits theaters July 10, 2026. The trailer includes the title character performing the song “How Far I’ll Go,” which was featured in the initial movie.

    Rounding out the cast are John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen as Moana’s Gramma Tala.

    Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda serve as producers. Executive producing are Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film and its 2024 theatrical sequel.

    Live-action remakes of popular animated properties continue to be a priority for Disney, which recently put a new version of 2010’s Tangled back in development after it was paused earlier this year following Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s live-action Snow White underperforming at the box office. The studio had a massive hit with the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, while Barry Jenkins’ prequel movie Mufasa: The Lion King also had a strong showing when it debuted late last year.

    More to come.

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    Ryan Gajewski

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  • Disney casts 17-year-old Australian Catherine Laga’aia to star in live-action ‘Moana’

    Disney casts 17-year-old Australian Catherine Laga’aia to star in live-action ‘Moana’

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    An Australian teenager of Samoan heritage has been announced as the star of the upcoming live-action version of the hit Disney movie “Moana.”Watch the trailer for “Moana 2” in the player aboveSeventeen-year-old Catherine Laga’aia has been cast as the eponymous heroine of the movie, which begins filming this summer.The movie will celebrate “the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure,” according to the announcement from Disney, which added: “Catherine Laga’aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana.”Laga’aia’s IMDB profile shows just one other listing – for three episodes of the TV series “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart,” which also starred Sigourney Weaver.She is no stranger to showbiz, however, as her father is Jay Laga’aia, a New Zealand-born actor who starred in two of the “Star Wars” movies.Disney announced the casting online, saying Laga’aia will appear alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui, the larger-than-life demigod for whom he provided the voice in the original 2016 animated feature. He is also one of the movie’s producers, alongside, among others, “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote much of the original movie’s soundtrack.In a statement included in the announcement, Laga’aia, who lives in Sydney, said: “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites.”My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”Her proud father took to social media to announce the news, too, posting on Instagram: “My family and I are so pleased to share this news with the rest of the world. My daughter Katie can finally share the news that she will be taking on the role of Moana in the live action Disney movie along side Dwayne Johnson and Lin Manuel Miranda.”Set for release in July 2026, the movie also features New Zealand actor John Tui as Moana’s father, Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as her mother and Rena Owen as the storyteller Gramma Tala.Directing is Thomas Kail, whose previous credits have included “Hamilton” on Broadway and Disney+.News of the live version was announced by Johnson last year. He said on Instagram that “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength.”The animated “Moana” was a smash, making over $680 million at the box office and the most-streamed movie of 2023, according Nielsen tracking. The sequel, “Moana 2,” is set for release in November.Auli’i Cravalho starred as Moana in the original film, along with Rachel House, Nicole Scherzinger and Temuera Morrison.Disney has successfully reimagined several of its animated classics as live-action movies, beginning with “Beauty and the Beast” in 2017, followed by “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” in 2019 and “The Little Mermaid” last year.

    CNN —

    An Australian teenager of Samoan heritage has been announced as the star of the upcoming live-action version of the hit Disney movie “Moana.”

    Watch the trailer for “Moana 2” in the player above

    Seventeen-year-old Catherine Laga’aia has been cast as the eponymous heroine of the movie, which begins filming this summer.

    The movie will celebrate “the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure,” according to the announcement from Disney, which added: “Catherine Laga’aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana.”

    Laga’aia’s IMDB profile shows just one other listing – for three episodes of the TV series “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart,” which also starred Sigourney Weaver.

    She is no stranger to showbiz, however, as her father is Jay Laga’aia, a New Zealand-born actor who starred in two of the “Star Wars” movies.

    Disney announced the casting online, saying Laga’aia will appear alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui, the larger-than-life demigod for whom he provided the voice in the original 2016 animated feature. He is also one of the movie’s producers, alongside, among others, “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote much of the original movie’s soundtrack.

    In a statement included in the announcement, Laga’aia, who lives in Sydney, said: “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites.

    “My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

    Her proud father took to social media to announce the news, too, posting on Instagram: “My family and I are so pleased to share this news with the rest of the world. My daughter Katie can finally share the news that she will be taking on the role of Moana in the live action Disney movie along side Dwayne Johnson and Lin Manuel Miranda.”

    Set for release in July 2026, the movie also features New Zealand actor John Tui as Moana’s father, Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as her mother and Rena Owen as the storyteller Gramma Tala.

    Directing is Thomas Kail, whose previous credits have included “Hamilton” on Broadway and Disney+.

    News of the live version was announced by Johnson last year. He said on Instagram that “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength.”

    The animated “Moana” was a smash, making over $680 million at the box office and the most-streamed movie of 2023, according Nielsen tracking. The sequel, “Moana 2,” is set for release in November.

    Auli’i Cravalho starred as Moana in the original film, along with Rachel House, Nicole Scherzinger and Temuera Morrison.

    Disney has successfully reimagined several of its animated classics as live-action movies, beginning with “Beauty and the Beast” in 2017, followed by “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” in 2019 and “The Little Mermaid” last year.

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  • Moana 2 Release Window, Cast, Plot, And More

    Moana 2 Release Window, Cast, Plot, And More

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    Remember Disney announcing a Moana TV series back in 2020? The bad news: We’re not getting that anymore. The good news: It’s been retooled into an entire feature-length movie!

    “We were impressed by what we saw and knew it deserved a theatrical release,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said yesterday. So what can we expect from this surprise sequel?

    What is the plot of Moana 2?

    The official synopsis released by Disney goes as follows: “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.” Everything else about the plot is being kept under wraps for now.

    Who’s in the cast for Moana 2?

    It was clear from the beginning that Dwayne Johnson was returning to voice Maui, especially since he tweeted the teaser after it debuted. Cravalho was more of a question mark. But on February 27 Deadline dropped the news that the 23-year-old actress, most recently seen in the musical version of Mean Girls, would be “definitely returning” to her breakout role.

    However, Cravalho won’t return for the live-action version of Moana set to release in 2025. She said in an Instagram statement last year, “I am truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent to honor our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures, and communities that helped inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come.”

    Cravalho will also be an executive producer on the live-action film and who knows, perhaps she’ll return for a Moana 3 if there ever is one! It’s clearly a franchise very dear to her heart.

    As for other characters appearing in this new movie … If you take a close look at the first officially released promo image (see above), you’ll notice that Heihei the chicken is there, so perhaps Alan Tudyk is coming back to voice him. There are also three new characters in the image, on the boat with Maui and Moana, but we don’t yet know who they are or who will play them.

    And sorry, Lin-Manuel Miranda fans, but he won’t be doing songwriting duties for Moana 2. Instead, Grammy Award winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear will be writing the songs. However, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, who did the music for the original movie, will be back.

    As for directing, that job will go to Dave Derrick Jr., who worked in the art department for the original Moana.

    Is there a trailer for Moana 2?

    Before the trailer debuted, Disney released a little teaser where we got a glimpse of Moana on a beautiful island. It’s still available if you want to give it a look. But the full thing dropped on May 29:

    The teaser trailer gives us some dialogue from Moana about how she seeks to “reconnect our people across the entire ocean,” and an appearance from Maui where he suggests eating cute chicken and pig duo Hei Hei and Pua. Don’t do it!

    What’s the poster for Moana 2?

    The official teaser poster for Moana 2 was released on May 28. It features the same shot that was in the teaser trailer, Moana on the island, and in front of her on the pristine yellow sands her oar and Maui’s hook form a “2.”

    What’s the release date for Moana 2?

    We’re getting Moana 2 much sooner than anyone expected! It’ll be out this year, November 27. The weather will much colder at that point so you’ll be able to appreciate the sunny, sandy beaches all the more.

    (featured image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

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    Sarah Barrett

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  • The Perfect Movie and TV Themed Getaways for Geeky Romantics

    The Perfect Movie and TV Themed Getaways for Geeky Romantics

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    From Stranger Things to Barbie, Disney fairytales, and a Halloweentown of your own—various creative destinations have undertaken the task of transporting guests into their own movie moments. This includes the pink-on-pink mid-century vibes at Palm Springs’ Trixie Motel, and thethemed rooms at Disney Parks’Disneyland…

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    Sabina Graves

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  • Best Thanksgiving Movie Guide To Watch With Parents

    Best Thanksgiving Movie Guide To Watch With Parents

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    While it is great to spend time with family and friends during the holiday.  Sometimes, after the big meal and before the dessert, conversation lags.  Could be everyone is full, or run our of safe or fun topics, or everyone is just slightly sleepy.  So why not all plop down and watch something fun?  Here is the best Thanksgiving movie guide to watch with parents.

    Die Hard

    What more can you say? This classic is the perfect way to tie together Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    The Safe Choices

    • Moana: An animated film that’s comfortable and reassuring in its familiarity, but does enough differently to delight you.
    • Rogue One: The best war movie this year, and darkest Star Wars entry since The Empire Strikes Back
    • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: You’re straggling if you haven’t seen this yet, but it’s a pleasant return to Rowling’s Wizarding World

    The Space Explorers

    • Arrival: A film of the year, serious Oscar contender, and a reminder once again how incredible Amy Adams is
    • Passengers: While it’s receiving a bashing critically—it isn’t as bad as its Rotten Tomatoes score indicates—but also has old friends Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt doing J Law and Pratt things

    The Serious Movie Fans

    • Silence: Martin Scorsese’s 3-hour epic based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1966 novel that really goes for it with its epic subject matter and performances
    • La La Land: Reviving old-school musicals with endearing performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Be prepared for singing and dancing.
    • Jackie: The history biopic that should have “Natalie Portman really wants an Oscar” as its tagline. If high-minded actor vehicles are your thing, this is your movie.
    • Paterson: Adam Driver stars as bus driver named Paterson living in Paterson, New Jersey. A classic Jim Jarmusch people just hanging out movie. It’s great, according to our wonderful photo editor.

    The Denzel Washington Movie

    • Fences: Tour-de-force performances by Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, which is exactly what you want.

    The Funnies

    • Office Christmas Party: Its actors seem tired and not really interested in the movie, but it has enough bits to please.
    • Why Him? James Franco and Bryan Cranston battling it out for the love of a daughter. In a bizarro world, this is a Breaking Bad spin-off. Instead it’s a formulaic laughie.

     

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    Brendan Bures

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  • Dwayne Johnson Reveals Live-Action ‘Moana’ Is In The Works

    Dwayne Johnson Reveals Live-Action ‘Moana’ Is In The Works

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    By Anita Tai.
    Published:

    Disney is bringing back “Moana”, and you’re welcome.

    Dwayne Johnson made the announcement on Monday with a video filmed from scenic Hawaii.

    He began, “The Pacific Islands and their cultures inspired a very special story, and that story is…”

    “‘Moana’!” his two daughters chimed in to help their father.

    “We are so excited and happy to announce that a live-action reimagining of ‘Moana’ is in the works,” he announced.

    He also shared the announcement to Twitter.


    READ MORE:
    Disney’s Announcement Of ‘Frozen 3’ Came As A Surprise To Franchise’s Songwriters

    The reveal comes ahead of the release of “The Little Mermaid”, the latest live-action adaptation of a Disney classic for the studio. The film is set for release on May 26.

    Other titles that have already received the live-action treatment include 2015’s “Cinderella”, 2020’s “Mulan”, 2017’s “Beauty and The Beast”, 2019’s “Aladdin” and 2019’s “The Lion King” among numerous others.

    The “Moana” adaptation would be the most recent film to receive a remake, considering the original 3D movie was released in 2016.

    Johnson will return in the role of Maui, as well as the original screenplay writer, Jared Bush.


    READ MORE:
    Halle Bailey Hugs ‘The Little Mermaid’ Fan In Disney World: ‘She Made Me Cry’

    The film will be a joint production with the actor’s Seven Bucks Productions.

    “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”

    It’s unclear whether Auli’i Cravalho will reprise her role as the titular character, but she will executive produce with Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co.

    “She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho said. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”

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    Anita Tai

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