PHOTO: First Look at Dwayne Johnson as Maui in the Upcoming Live-Action ‘Moana’

While Moana fans eagerly await the arrival of Moana 2 next week, Disney is already hard at work on the next installment in the franchise.

As we reported yesterday, filming on Disney’s live-action Moana has begun in Oahu, Hawaii!

Photo: Reel News Hawaii

For those who don’t know, Disney’s live-action remake of the first Moana film was initially announced in April 2023 by Dwayne Johnson, who will be reprising his role as Maui.

“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me,” he said at the time.

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)

Catherine Laga’aia will join Johnson in the live-action Moana, taking over the titular role from Auli’i Cravalho. The cast will also include John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as her mother, Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.

First Look at Live-Action Maui

Yesterday we got our first glimpse at Moana’s iconic canoe. Now, I am happy to share a preview of Dwayne Johnson as Maui from @UnBoxPHD on X.

Photo: UnBoxPHD on X

While the live-action Moana was initially scheduled to hit theaters on June 27, 2025, those plans were changed with the announcement of Moana 2. Originally, Disney had developed the film that would become the Moana sequel as a Disney+ animated series.

When the decision was made to turn the project into a theatrical film, the studio pushed back the live-action Moana.

Photo: Dwayne Johnson on Instagram

Now, the live-action Moana will be released on July 10, 2026, which will coincide with the first film’s 10th anniversary.

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