The first trailer for the live-action version of Disney’s Wayana/Moana was shown, which, judging by the reaction, rather disappointed critics. In the debut video, viewers were introduced to the main characters – Moana, played by Katherine Lagaaia, and Maui, again played by Dwayne Johnson.
The trailer showed not only the central characters, but also a number of minor characters and creatures familiar from the original, including the rooster Heihei and the crab Tamatoa. At the same time, the studio retained recognizable elements: the boat, Maui’s magical hook, his tattoos and the ocean as an important part of the story. However, now all this is presented in the format of a large-scale game production with an emphasis on entertainment.
The film will also feature John Tui (Chief Tui), Frankie Adams (Sena) and Rena Owen (Tala’s Grandma). However, many note that the picture looks overly artificial: the animated version seems more alive, while in the remake there is a noticeable overkill with visual effects, and Johnson’s image – especially due to the makeup and wig – causes mixed reactions.
Critics generally agree that this is another commercial project aimed at profiting from a popular franchise.
The live-action Moana was announced in April 2023, and the project is developing quite quickly. The premiere is scheduled for July 10, 2026 – at that time the original cartoon will be less than ten years old, which is considered a very short period for Disney remakes.
You can also watch the first trailer for Wild Horse.
To be continued…
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