Disney has released the teaser trailer for the live-action adaptation of “Moana.” The teaser was released on YouTube, and it was clear that Catherine Laga’aia was born to belt out tunes, while Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has got Maui on lock, like a lifetime contract.
Thomas Kail, the Tony-winning genius behind Hamilton, directed the live-action version of “Moana,” which will be released in U.S. movie theaters on July 10, 2026. However, before any fan had a chance to complete singing “You’re Welcome,” social media erupted into chaos as people started to complain, praise, express confusion, and experience despair driven by capitalism.
The trailer that launched a thousand hot takes.
The teaser does not squander a second on instilling nostalgia via an injection directly into the bloodstream. Laga’aia breaks into singing the much-loved lines, “I am a girl who loves my island…” and one is immediately transported to 2016, when life was simple and graphics were fun.
Within less than one minute, Disney can display:
- A hyper-detailed Motunui
- Moana is talking to the ocean like it owes her money
- The Kakamora appears both cute and ready to fight
- A big “I Am Moana” moment recreated shot-for-shot
It’s stunning. It’s pricey. It’s filled with CGI to such an extent that one is left questioning whether the “live-action” classification constitutes tax fraud.
A cast that could carry an island and still get dragged online.
A star-studded cast put together by Disney includes:
- Catherine Lagaʻaia, the new wayfinder
- Dwayne Johnson, demigod, producer, possible natural phenomenon
- John Tui, Chief Tui, stern dad, energy intact
- Frankie Adams Sina, equal parts warm and formidable
- Rena Owen Gramma Tala, the emotional backbone
Plus, original Moana Auli’i Cravalho is back as an executive producer. This is a very culturally relevant cast, but there is no resisting Twitter’s wrath when it comes to a remake.
Social media jumps into the canoe right away and begins throwing tomatoes.
The 59-second teaser was released, and the comment section transformed into a collective group of angry New Yorkers at 8 AM on a Monday. A couple of examples:
The cry to the Heavens:
“For the love of God… please stop with the live-action remakes…”
The expectations of a long runtime:
“This is going to be so faithful but somehow 50 minutes longer.”
It’s modern, where’s the nostalgia:
“Recreating scenes from a movie less than 10 years old… bleak.”
The economists:
“Do y’all need some money?”
The realists:
“it looks animated because it basically is.”
The historians:
“‘The original’ is nine years old…. what are we doing?”
The tired but fair critics:
“Teaser is less than one minute, but she sings very well, though.”
It’s the ideal online cocktail: a pinch of outrage, some angst, a touch of love, and lots and lots of viewers who definitely will tune in anyway.
Why is Disney doing this, other than for the financial benefits?
Let’s face it. Disney is not experimenting with canoes out of whimsy:
- Moana is a global cultural phenomenon.
- The original grossed over $680 million and featured tunes that are still played on karaoke machines to this very day.
- Dwayne Johnson is a merchandisable empire.
Disney is pretty much printing money with this live-action film.
Even those whom one claims to dislike.
Disney knows exactly what it is doing and exactly whom to complain to after they’ve purchased tickets.
My Moana hot take on this live-action adaptation: It’s going to be gorgeous, expensive, unnecessary, and successful.
The teaser is definitely breathtaking. Catherine Laga’aia is a star. Maui is still iconic. Motunui is detailed to the point where you can smell the saltwater and budget there.
The big problem is familiarity fatigue. The remake express has shown no sign of slowing down after a decade, but this is actually their first remake of something that has not yet reached double digits. Still, if the essence of the story can be made, viewers can take pride in taking the lead. Until then, there is the call of the ocean, loud, beautiful, and with a tremendous amount of CGI-enhanced sinister elements. “Moana” is due to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.
