Moana Trailer Sparks Backlash Over Dwayne Johnson’s Live-Action Maui

Here we go again: Disney has dropped the first big trailer for their live-action Moana remake, and the internet is pretty much set on fire. And not in a 'wow, must see!' way. For the record, this is yet another one of those remakes that has everyone asking, 'Do we really need this?' Especially when you realize the original animated Moana came out less than a decade ago. But hey, that 'nostalgia' cash won't print itself.

Who's Who & What's New

• Lead: Catherine Laga'aia steps in as Moana (animated Moana's voice, Auli'i Cravalho, is on as executive producer but she's behind the scenes this time)
• Maui Returns: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is back as Maui, only now in the flesh
• Director: Thomas Kail (yes, the Hamilton guy)
• Producers: Alongside Johnson, you get Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, and Cravalho round out exec producers
• Release Date: July 10, 2026, in US theaters
• Streaming Status: If you want the animated versions, they're both on Disney+ right now

Trailer Drops, Criticism Follows Instantly

If you expected cautious curiosity or at least a mild 'let's wait and see' vibe, no luck. The backlash is swift and brutal. First up, people are pointing out that the trailer looks eerily like a direct, almost shot-for-shot remake. Again. We just did this with The Lion King, right? Only now, with Moana not even out of the cultural oven, it's all feeling a little tired.

The main target? Dwayne Johnson's Maui. Folks are saying his live-action look seems off, like something AI might cook up—or worse, like a weird commercial mascot at the Super Bowl. The line delivery is catching flak too, with a lot of people noting that Johnson sounds less like Maui and more like he's parodying himself, SNL-sketch style.

at a certain point you have to seriously consider what the fuck we're even doing anymore
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace), March 23, 2026

People aren't holding back. Scroll through the reactions, and you'll find phrases like 'lifeless, soulless trash', 'government-ordered live action remake slop', and incredulity at how someone can bungle their own lines. Ouch. Some even say Super Bowl commercials have more heart.

Maui, Shark Heads, & Sea Creatures

It isn't just the faces, though. The live-action glimpses at Shark Head Maui and the rest of the Moana crew are raising eyebrows—and not in delight. Sea creatures designed for animation seem, frankly, a bit weird when they're 'real'. Meanwhile, fans are joking that the whole project could have been generated with the click of an AI button.

And here's one I can't disagree with: picking Atlanta as a filming location for a movie that's supposed to be dripping in Polynesian atmosphere? That's a choice. Possibly a cost-saving one, but still.

Shooting even one second of a Polynesian-set movie in Atlanta should be a jailable offense
— Kenjac (@JackKennedy), March 23, 2026

What's Actually Going On in This Version?

The core plot is your standard 'Moana answers the Ocean's call and sails beyond the reef, joined by Maui, to give her people a fighting chance at prosperity'—pretty much what you remember from the original. Don't expect many twists, at least based on the trailer.

So, if you want to catch Moana live-action-style (and you're okay braving the backlash, or maybe you're just morbidly curious): July 10th, US theaters. You already know the rest.