Disney has released the first official trailer for its live-action version of Moana.
The new film stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui, the demigod he voiced in the 2016 animated movie and its sequel.
The trailer begins with Moana dreaming about life beyond the reef surrounding her home island, Motunui. Her grandmother, Gramma Tala, played by Rena Owen, tells her that danger is coming and reminds her that the ocean chose her for an important mission: to find Maui, restore the heart of Te Fiti, and save their people.
Maui soon appears, meeting Moana for the first time and shouting his famous “chee-hoo” before magically transforming into a whale. The two then set off together on a journey across the ocean, facing several challenges along the way.
Near the end of the trailer, Moana makes it clear who she is, telling Maui, “I’m not a princess. I’m the daughter of the chief, leader of my people.” When Maui asks if she’s ready to be a hero, she replies, “Let’s go save the world.”
The movie is directed by Thomas Kail and written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. Meanwhile, Tiana Nonosina Liufau oversees the choreography, and Liz McGregor handles the costumes.
The live-action Moana flick is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also worked on the music for the original animated film. Executive producers include Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, and Auli’i Cravalho, who originally voiced Moana.
John Tui and Frankie Adams also star as Moana’s parents, Chief Tui and Sina.