She Is ‘Moana’: Disney Shares First Look at Catherine Lagaʻaia in Epic Teaser for Live-Action Remake
Disney has officially unveiled the long-awaited teaser for its live-action remake of *Moana*, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of how the beloved animated characters and stunning Pacific Island scenery will translate to the big screen. Released on November 17, the one-minute trailer builds anticipation by showcasing Moana’s adventures through lush landscapes and the vast ocean, culminating in a powerful moment where the character, portrayed by 18-year-old Catherine Lagaʻaia, sings the iconic song “I Am Moana.” The trailer artfully captures the essence of the original film, which debuted a decade ago and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, particularly for its music, which dominated the Billboard charts for an impressive 62 weeks.
In this new adaptation, Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui, though his appearance in the teaser is brief, featuring him leaping off a cliff into the water. The trailer highlights Lagaʻaia’s vocal talent as she expresses Moana’s deep connection to her island and the sea, echoing the themes of identity and heritage that resonated with audiences in the original film. The live-action *Moana* is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, stirring excitement not only for its nostalgia but also for its commitment to authentic representation. Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, may not return to her role but remains involved as an executive producer, emphasizing the importance of passing the torch to a new generation of talent from Pacific Island backgrounds.
Reflecting on her journey, Cravalho expressed her gratitude for the role that changed her life at just 14 years old. She articulated her pride in supporting Lagaʻaia as she steps into the role, highlighting the significance of honoring Pacific cultures through storytelling. As fans eagerly await the film’s release, the teaser serves as a reminder of the rich narratives and vibrant cultures that *Moana* represents, promising a fresh yet familiar experience for audiences around the world. Be sure to check out the teaser below to catch a glimpse of this exciting new chapter in Disney’s storytelling legacy.
Disney has finally dropped the official teaser for its live-action remake of
Moana
, giving fans a long-awaited glimpse at how the once-animated scenery and characters come to life. What can they except you’re welcome?
Posted Monday (Nov. 17), the minute-long trailer waits until the very end to show Catherine Lagaʻaia — the 18-year-old actress tapped to portray the character originally voiced by
Auli’i Cravalho
— up close. Instead, it weaves shots of Moana running her hand through the ocean and exploring the scenery of the Pacific Islands as she sings “I Am Moana.”
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Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his role as demigod Maui in the live-action film, is only shown momentarily from the back, leaping off a cliff into the water. “I am the girl who loves my island/ I’m the girl who loves the sea/ It calls me,” Laga’aia belts beautifully, the camera zooming in on her face at the end of the trailer as she grabs onto the sails of a ship.
The updated
Moana
is set to hit theaters July 10, 2026, a full decade after the original animated version premiered. The film was an immediate sensation, as was its music; the soundtrack spent 62 weeks atop the
Billboard
Soundtracks
chart and reached No. 2 on the overall
Billboard 200
.
Eight years later, Disney released
Moana 2
, debuting in the top 10 of
several
Billboard
charts
with the sequel’s soundtrack. Cravalho voiced the franchise’s titular character in both animated films, but while she does not reprise her breakout role in the live-action, she is on board as an executive producer.
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career,”
she said
in a 2023 Instagram video shortly after the remake was announced. “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 help inspire her story. And I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come.”
Watch the teaser for the live-action
Moana
remake below.
