Live-Action Moana Trailer Unveils The Rock as Maui, Sparking Mixed Reactions

Disney has just dropped the first full-length trailer for its live-action remake of Moana, giving us a fresh look at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the demigod trickster Maui. If you’ve ever seen those high-budget Super Bowl ads with celebrity appearances, this trailer has that same vibe.

On March 23, Disney unveiled the official trailer for the upcoming live-action version of the beloved 2016 film. Before this, we got a teaser that hinted at a CG-heavy spectacle, offering only a brief glimpse of Maui, played by Johnson, who also voiced the character in the animated version. Now, with the official trailer, Disney seems ready to showcase Maui in all his glory. Unfortunately, he comes off more like a weary, aging star in a wig trying to sell insurance in a flashy commercial.

I won’t deny Johnson’s talent or his impressive physique—he could easily take me down in seconds. However, while he captures Maui’s voice from the animated film, he lacks the larger-than-life charisma that made the character so memorable. In this trailer, with a wig and a bodysuit that doesn’t quite match, he looks like he’s stepped out of an elaborate pre-recorded skit.

The wig is particularly distracting; it stands out every time I see Maui. It’s hard to ignore when, in the same trailer, John Tui portrays Moana’s father with a stunning head of naturally long hair.

Regardless, Moana is set to hit theaters on July 10, likely raking in a billion dollars and giving Disney even more incentive to continue remaking its animated classics. It feels like we’re stuck in a frustrating loop.