Dwayne Johnson presented new footage from Disney's live-action remake of Moana at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday. The actor reprised his role as Maui alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, with the film set for release on July 10. Johnson shared personal insights into the character during the presentation.
Disney showcased an extended look at its live-action Moana remake during its CinemaCon presentation at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Stars Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia attended, with footage featuring Laga’aia singing “How Far I’ll Go” and Johnson performing “You’re Welcome” as the demigod Maui. The clips included neon manta rays, a giant crab, a chicken, and a scary fire spirit, bringing the ancient Polynesian tale to life on screen. Directed by Thomas Kail in his feature debut, the film boasts a script by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, with producers including Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. It follows Moana, the daughter of a village chief chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her people, alongside the shape-shifting Maui. Johnson, who has portrayed Maui for over a decade since the 2016 animated original, emphasized the character's cultural significance to Polynesian people. “Maui is very real,” he said, noting it has been an “amazing experience” and that he channeled his late grandfather, Samoan wrestler Peter “High Chief” Maivia, whose likeness he showed the audience via photo. He described bringing the story to live-action as tapping into its “flesh and blood and mana.” On stage, Johnson highlighted themes of empowerment, stating, “The hero of our story is not a princess, she’s a warrior,” and urged, “All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks like.” The original Moana grossed over $680 million worldwide and earned two Academy Award nominations, while Moana 2 surpassed $1 billion in 2024.
