Overview
- Disney screened an extended look at its live-action Moana at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday, featuring musical moments and new ocean visuals.
- Dwayne Johnson took the stage as Maui and said real masculinity means empowering and championing women.
- Johnson said he has lived with Maui for over a decade and that the character draws on his grandfather, Peter “High Chief” Maivia.
- Newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia leads as Moana and appears in the footage singing How Far I’ll Go, with Thomas Kail directing a July 10, 2026 theatrical release.
- The live-action update builds on a proven hit, after the 2016 original grossed about $680 million worldwide and the 2024 sequel surpassed $1 billion.