Held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the annual exhibition gathering offered studios a platform to showcase upcoming releases, and Disney used the moment to deepen audience excitement for its reimagining of the ocean-spanning adventure. Johnson’s return as Maui—this time in a live-action interpretation—was one of the presentation’s focal points, particularly as he reflected on the character’s long-standing significance in his career and cultural identity.
Speaking to attendees, Johnson described Maui as a figure he has lived with for more than a decade, first introduced through the original animated film and now evolving into a more grounded, physical portrayal. He emphasized how meaningful it has been to revisit the role, especially given the character’s ties to Polynesian storytelling traditions and mythology. According to Johnson, the demigod’s animated design drew partial inspiration from his own family heritage, including his grandfather, Samoan wrestling legend Peter “High Chief” Maivia. To underscore the connection, he shared a photograph of Maivia with the audience, prompting an appreciative reaction in the room.
Johnson also used the stage to highlight the film’s central dynamic between Maui and its new heroine. Introducing newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, who plays Moana, he framed the story as one rooted in leadership, courage, and self-determination. He described Moana not as a traditional princess figure but as a warrior in her own right, while positioning Maui as a guiding force who supports her journey rather than overshadowing it. He further spoke about the importance of male characters uplifting strong female leads, framing it as a broader message about respect and empowerment.
The new film is directed by Thomas Kail, known for his acclaimed work on Hamilton. The story once again follows a determined young navigator who sets out across the ocean to break a curse threatening her island and people, encountering Maui along the way as both ally and reluctant mentor. While the narrative remains familiar, the live-action format aims to reintroduce the mythic journey with heightened realism and visual scale.
The original Moana proved to be a major success upon its 2016 release, earning more than $680 million worldwide and later achieving even greater cultural longevity through streaming, where it became one of Disney+’s most consistently viewed titles. Its music, characters, and themes have remained particularly popular with family audiences, contributing to Disney’s decision to revisit the story in a new format.
The remake arrives at a pivotal moment for Disney’s broader live-action strategy, which has seen mixed results in recent years. Some adaptations have struggled to find their footing commercially or critically, while others have exceeded expectations and generated billion-dollar box office returns. As a result, industry attention is now focused on how audiences will respond to familiar stories reimagined for a new generation.
With strong nostalgia for the original film but questions about timing and necessity, the live-action Moana now faces the challenge of proving that its voyage across the big screen is not just a retelling, but a meaningful return to an enduring modern classic.