If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Disney's Moana teaser is here, with less Dwayne Johnson than you'd think

Maui is barely in the first teaser for the live-action remake of the Disney animated classic. You're welcome, Dwayne Johnson fans?

News by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Mon Nov 17 2025

Popverse's top stories

If Critical Role's Legend of Vox Machina is The Hobbit, says Marisha Ray, then Mighty Nein is Lord of the Rings
Watch now: Marvel writer Ben Percy shows off the Wolverine claws he always keeps "within arm's reach" [Popversations]
For Popverse members only: Watch Prime Video's official Invincible panel from NYCC 2025, with Steven Yeun, Gillian Jacobs, Robert Kirkman, and Lee Pace

Dwayne Johnson’s back as demigod Maui in the first teaser trailer for Disney’s live-action remake of Moana — and I say that as in, ‘all you can see of Dwayne Johnson in the first teaser trailer for Disney’s live-action remake of Moana is his back.’ Bad news for fans of the Rock, but there’s a lot more to enjoy for everyone else.

The very brief (less than a minute!) tease doesn’t just debut Catherine Lagaʻaia as the title character, performing the song ‘How Far I’ll Go’ — it also teases the fantastic visuals fans can expect from the reimagined movie, from outrageous ocean waves, speeding fleets of ships, and ziplining topical creatures to… well, the sight of Dwayne Johnson leaping off a cliff before transforming into a bird. Well, it’s a start, but we’re hoping the next trailer features at least a glimpse of him singing ‘You’re Welcome.’

Watch the trailer for yourself below.

Moana stars Lagaʻaia, Johnson, John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala. The movie is directed by Thomas Kail, and will be released in theaters July 10, 2026. Check out the poster below.

Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out Popverse's guides to:

Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news

Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.