The anticipated trailer for the live-action of the 2016 animation Moana was finally released on Monday. The movie stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the main lead for Maui and Catherin Laga’aia as Moana.
Fans of the original movie recognise scenes in the new trailer, from Moana’s interactions with Maui, notable characters such as the crabs and fire creatures, alongside familiar songs such as “I am Moana (Song of the Ancestors) and Auli’i Cravalho’s “How Far I’ll go”.
The cast also includes John Tui, playing Moana’s father, Frankie Adams playing her mother, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.
Disney hopes that the live version is seen as an imagination of the original Oscar-nominated film. Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), among many other notable names, the movie is expected to hit theaters on July 10.
Many shared their reactions to the trailer on Johnson’s Instagram post, sharing their excitement.
Others said that the trailer looks better than the original animation.
The film also had negative reactions. Some original fans were upset that the trailer featured newcomer Laga’aia as the main lead, replacing Auli’ Cravalho who voiced Moana for two consecutive films.
The Rock fans also mocked this wig in the film, saying that they could have done way better.
Moana tells the story of a determined young girl who answered a deep calling to restore the heart of Te Fiti, a living island goddess, in order to save her people. To do this, she sets out in search of Maui, a shape-shifting demigod who once stole the heart and then lost it. The ocean entrusted Moana’s grandmother with the heart, but only Maui can return it.
Along the way, Moana and Maui encounter formidable creatures, including a giant crab, the fiery demon Te Kā, and Heihei, the night so bright chicken.
Moana is one of the major family films released by Disney this year, releasing just a month after Toy Story 5.
