#FIRSTLOOK: DISNEY’S “MOANA” LOS ANGELES PREMIERE

The cast and filmmakers behind Disney’s highly anticipated reimagining of “Moana,” including Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a. (Maui, producer), Catherine Lagaʻaia (Moana), Thomas Kail (director, executive producer) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (producer, original songs by), united at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles last night to celebrate the film’s show-stopping world premiere.

The evening began with an introduction by Kail and Miranda, who in turn invited the Nonosina dancers to the stage for a special live performance that brought a Pacific village to life through movement, live percussion, chanting and vocals and welcomed guests to the vibrant world of “Moana.” The presentation transitioned into a traditional Pacific ceremony featuring Lagaʻaia and Johnson.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Johnson introduced conductor Sarah Hicks, who led the LA Phil as the renowned orchestra performed the score live during the world premiere presentation of Disney’s “Moana.” Last night’s premiere screening ended with a fireworks finale.

The premiere was also attended by cast members Rena Owen (Gramma Tala), John Tui (Chief Tui) and Frankie Adams (Sina). Filmmakers in attendance included Beau Flynn, p.g.a. (producer), Dany Garcia (producer), Hiram Garcia, p.g.a. (producer), Scott Sheldon (executive producer), Charles Newirth (executive producer), Auliʻi Cravalho (executive producer), Jared Bush (screenplay by, Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer), Dana Ledoux Miller (screenplay by), Mark Mancina (original songs by, original score by), Opetaia Foaʻi (original songs by), John Myhre (production designer), Liz McGregor (costume designer), Bill Westenhofer (visual effects supervisor), Leslie Lerman (visual effects producer), Bernard Telsey, CSA (casting director), Tiffany Little Canfield, CSA (casting director), John Wildermuth (first assistant director), Tiana Nonosina Liufau (choreographer, associate producer, Cultural Trust), Kayla Faʻamaligi (associate choreographer, Cultural Trust), Jennifer Lane (associate producer), Monique Ganderton (stunt coordinator), Dr. Grant Muāgututiʻa (Lead Consultant, Cultural Trust), Nakoa Prejean (Tech Advisor/Canoes, Stunts) and Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi (Master Lasher), along with additional celebrity guests and VIP talent.

During the global press tour for “Moana,” Dwayne Johnson achieved a significant milestone by surpassing more than 200 wishes granted through Make-A-Wish globally, after granting eight wishes at last night’s premiere alone. Johnson has been a dedicated wish-granter for more than 25 years.

ABOUT DISNEY’S “MOANA”:

In “Moana,” Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a., Beau Flynn, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, p.g.a. and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, Kail and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films “Moana” and “Moana 2.” “Moana” features the new song “Along The Way,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performed by Cravalho, Laga‘aia and Johnson; original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina; and an original score composed by Mancina. Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” exclusively in theatres July 10, 2026.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “MOANA”

The first trailer and poster for Disney’s highly anticipated live-action reimagining of “Moana,” starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the trickster demigod Maui, debut today.

The trailer provides a first look at the live-action adventure, introducing audiences to the majestic island and vibrant people of Motunui; the shapeshifting demigod Maui; the intimidating yet adorable tribe of Kakamora; and Lagaʻaia as wayfinder Moana, who sings the powerful line “I Am Moana.”

In addition to Lagaʻaia and Johnson, the “Moana” cast includes Auckland, New Zealand, native John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealander Frankie Adams, who portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala.

In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated features “Moana” and “Moana 2.” Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” in theatres on July 10, 2026.

ABOUT DISNEY

Disney’s live-action legacy dates back to its first completely live-action film, “Treasure Island” in 1950, and its collaborations with renowned artists and filmmakers have resulted in some of the most successful and unforgettable family films in history. Across pirate-laden high seas or down a mysterious rabbit hole, the studio brings powerful storytellers together with leading-edge technology to produce a wide range of films for theatrical release and streaming that are uniquely Disney, from the beloved “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, to an immensely popular collection of live-action reimaginings of classic tales – including “The Little Mermaid,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Maleficent,” “The Jungle Book,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” “Aladdin,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Mulan,” “Cruella,” “Hocus Pocus 2” and the Emmy Award-winning “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” – to uplifting, character-driven stories such as “Jungle Cruise.”

#FIRSTLOOK: CATHERINE LAGA’AIA CAST IN LIVE-ACTION “MOANA” IN TITULAR ROLE

Catherine Laga‘aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action “Moana.” “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. “My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

The cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala. Previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced larger-than-life demigod Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role.

Releasing in theatres on July 10, 2026, “Moana” is directed by Thomas Kail, who helmed “Hamilton” on Broadway and Disney+, “Grease Live” and the first and last episodes of Hulu’s lauded limited series “We Were the Lucky Ones.” Said Kail, “I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I cannot wait to all be on set together. And there’s no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne—actually, trio: Heihei is ready, too.”

“Moana” will bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure, the production begins filming this summer. The new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via FlynnPictureCo. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs, will also serve as producer. Executive producers include Scott Sheldon of FlynnPictureCo., Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Charles Newirth. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller have been tapped for the project. Bush, a veteran of Disney Animation, wrote the screenplay for 2016’s “Moana,” and Miller is a Samoan writer who created Netflix’s “Thai Cave Rescue” and co-founded the non-profit Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK).