Disney has unveiled the highly anticipated first images of its live-action adaptation of Moana, scheduled for summer 2026. But far from generating unanimous enthusiasm, this first trailer quickly triggered contrasting reactions, particularly around the visual aspect of the film and the character of Maui played by Dwayne Johnson.
A trailer that struggles to convince
Released online on March 23, this first glimpse of the film quickly sparked reactions from internet users. According to HuffPost, many comments pointed to a lack of aesthetic fidelity to the original work, particularly the colors, which were deemed less vibrant, and an overly artificial visual style. Some even went so far as to criticize the excessive use of digital effects, despite the live-action format.
Criticism also focuses on certain production choices. Scenes meant to take place at sea were reportedly partly filmed in a studio, reinforcing the impression of an unnatural setting. On social media, reactions are sometimes scathing: "It's awful, what did they do to the beautiful colors of the original film?" reads one of the many messages shared by HuffPost.
Dwayne Johnson at the center of mockery
Another widely discussed element is Dwayne Johnson's appearance as Maui. Having already voiced the character in the 2016 animated film, the actor reprises the role here in live-action. But his look, particularly the long hair achieved with a wig, has drawn considerable ridicule.
Some internet users are mocking this aesthetic choice: "That wig, I could die laughing" or "Hundreds of millions for this?" Despite these criticisms, Disney is staying the course. The film, directed by Thomas Kail and starring Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, will be released in theaters in early July 2026.
Despite the mixed reception of this first trailer, the studio can rely on the appeal of its live-action adaptations, which often enjoy great success at the box office, like Lilo & Stitch, recently a box office hit. It remains to be seen whether Moana will be able to win over audiences beyond these initial impressions.
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