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The New 'Moana' Trailer Is Here, With 'The Rock' Back as Maui

The live-action film will premiere in theaters on July 10.

Headshot of Dashia Milden
Headshot of Dashia Milden
Dashia Milden Editor
Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family.
Dashia Milden
Moana live action

Catherine Lagaʻaia will star as Moana.

Disney

Another Disney princess is getting a live-action remake. Next up is Moana, and according to a trailer dropped Monday morning, it'll follow the same storyline as the Oscar-nominated animated version released in 2016.

Moana, starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as the young wayfinder, will travel beyond the island of Motunui to answer the ocean's call, along with her sidekick Maui. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is reprising his role as the demigod for the live-action version, after voicing the character in Moana and Moana 2.

We're pretty pumped to see Johnson with curly hair, as well as the special effects like Maui transforming into a whale. We only get a quick glimpse of Heihei, Moana's rooster, but he appears to be computer-generated. You can also catch sight of Tamatoa the crab and Te Kā in the 2-minute trailer.

Live-action versions of popular films seem to be a big part of Disney's playbook. The live-action versions of Snow White, Lilo & Stitch and The Little Mermaid are just a few that are now streaming on Disney Plus (with varying levels of success), but the list goes on. And there doesn't seem to be any signs of stopping with Moana.

The remake of Moana is directed by Thomas Kail, who directed broadway show Hamilton. It's produced by Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda. It will be released in US theaters on July 10.