Overview
- The live-action Moana will open exclusively in cinemas on July 10, with advance tickets already on sale and a Disney+ special first look released to subscribers.
- Newcomer 19-year-old Samoan-Australian Catherine Lagaʻaia stars as Moana after a casting search that drew more than 32,000 applicants, while Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui and also serves as a producer.
- The film reunites key music creators from the animated films, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote a new song called “Along the Way” performed by Lagaʻaia and Auliʻi Cravalho.
- Filmmakers and Disney have emphasized Polynesian cultural authenticity by hiring regional artisans, costume and dance experts, and consulting Polynesian creatives throughout production.
- A global promotional tour with fan events, public artifacts like the film canoe, charity visits and London and international showcases is the studio’s primary push to build awareness ahead of the July 10 release.