Overview
- A new Disney promo centers on Dwayne Johnson explaining why Maui “means everything” to him and saying the character distinctly represents his grandfather, the late Samoan wrestler Peter Maivia.
- Johnson notes the live-action film nods to that family legacy in Maui’s look, mentions brief on-screen appearances by his mother and daughters, and praises the film’s Polynesian representation.
- The marketing push has rolled out multiple items intended to drive theater attendance, including a final trailer, advance ticketing, and a newly released original song, “Along the Way,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and featuring Auliʻi Cravalho, Catherine Lagaʻaia, and Johnson.
- Creative continuity with the animated original has been emphasized: Thomas Kail directs, Auliʻi Cravalho serves as an executive producer, and Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina contribute songs and score.
- By foregrounding Johnson’s family ties and island heritage, Disney is signaling cultural authenticity to Polynesian audiences and broader fans, a move that could shape opening-week box office interest and community response.