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Credit: DisneyDwayne Johnson isn’t the only original Moana (2016) star returning for the live-action remake.
Moana follows the eponymous young Polynesian wayfinder (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) who sets sail across the ocean with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her island and restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. The Disney animated hit grossed more than $680 million worldwide and has proven itself as one of the studio’s most enduring modern successes, finding an even larger audience through Disney+ in recent years.
Like most major Disney hits, this means the film is also getting the live-action treatment. This summer will see Johnson reprise the role of Maui – this time, live and in the flesh, alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana.
While Cravalho declined to return for the live-action adaptation, she serves as an executive producer (although we wouldn’t rule out a Jodi Benson-style cameo just yet). However, Johnson is joined by at least one familiar face – or, to be more accurate, voice.
Disney Confirms Returning Actor for ‘Moana’
Disney dropped a new trailer for the live-action Moana today, confirming that Jemaine Clement will reprise the role of Tamatoa in the process.
The ocean chose them 🌊 Tickets are now on sale for #Moana! Only in theaters July 10.
The ocean chose them 🌊 Tickets are now on sale for #Moana! Only in theaters July 10. pic.twitter.com/gLnIl7UPZU
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) June 10, 2026
Tamatoa is a giant coconut crab who serves as one of the multiple antagonists in Moana. Living in the realm of Lalotai, he is obsessed with collecting shiny treasures and hoards valuable objects on his shell to show off his wealth and status. The flamboyant character is best known for performing the song Shiny – penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda – as Moana and Maui attempt to retrieve Maui’s magical fishhook.
The latest trailer appears to stick closely to the animated original in more ways than just reusing Clement, seemingly recreating many of its most recognizable moments with little deviation. That sets it apart from several of Disney’s previous live-action remakes, including Cinderella (2015), The Little Mermaid (2023), and the controversial box office bomb that was Snow White (2025), which took greater creative liberties with their source material.
Judging by responses to the trailer on X, fans aren’t overly impressed with the lack of originality.
“Looks neat but feels so pointless especially considering the original is not even a decade old,” wrote one X user.
“Why don’t you do me a favor, Disney, and stop making these disgusting live action remakes,” another wrote. “And just revive stuff like Gigantic, and that Tiana series instead.”
Others suggested alternative approaches Disney could have taken. “Just looks like AI, I just don’t see why we needed this. A Maui prequel alternate story would have been better. This just looks identical to the original.”
Are you excited for the live-action remake of Moana?
