Dwayne Johnson Shares Emotional Tribute to Grandfather at 'Moana' Live-Action Footage Debut

The actor got choked up while promoting the upcoming Disney remake at CinemaCon.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:09pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of Dwayne Johnson's hand holding a framed photo, the image bathed in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to create a sense of reverence and emotional weight.Dwayne Johnson pays tribute to his grandfather, whose legacy inspired his iconic Moana character.Las Vegas Today

Dwayne Johnson took the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to debut new footage from the live-action remake of Disney's 'Moana', sharing a touching tribute to his late grandfather who inspired the character of Maui that he voices. Johnson was joined by newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, who will play the title role, as they promoted the reimagining of the 2016 Oscar-nominated animated hit.

Why it matters

The live-action 'Moana' is a high-profile project for Disney, as the original animated film was a major franchise success, earning over $600 million globally and spawning a 2024 sequel that crossed $1 billion. The casting of Laga'aia, an Australian actress of Polynesian descent, in the lead role also represents an important step in Disney's efforts to authentically represent Pacific Islander cultures.

The details

Johnson, who is reprising his role as the demigod Maui from the animated films, became emotional while sharing a photo of his late grandfather, saying the character was deeply inspired by him. Laga'aia, who grew up watching the original 'Moana', expressed excitement about bringing the wayfinder heroine to life in the live-action version. The new footage shown at CinemaCon included a scene of Moana being told by the ocean that she has been chosen, as well as an exchange between Moana and Maui where he declares 'Let's go save the world'.

  • The live-action 'Moana' is set to hit theaters on July 10.

The players

Dwayne Johnson

An American actor who is reprising his role as the demigod Maui from the animated 'Moana' films.

Catherine Laga'aia

An Australian actress of Polynesian descent who will play the title role of Moana in the live-action remake.

Thomas Kail

The director of the live-action 'Moana' film, known for his work on the musical 'Hamilton'.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

The composer who is producing the live-action 'Moana' and wrote the original songs for the animated films.

Auliʻi Cravalho

The actress who voiced Moana in the animated films and is an executive producer on the live-action remake.

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What they’re saying

“I lived with this character of Maui for 10-plus years. The animated version was just an amazing experience for us as Polynesian people.”

— Dwayne Johnson, Actor

“This is for you, High Chief.”

— Dwayne Johnson, Actor

“All men of all ages, we should champion and support all women.”

— Dwayne Johnson, Actor

“I grew up watching Moana with my family, so to be a part of her experience, I'm incredibly excited.”

— Catherine Laga'aia, Actress

What’s next

The live-action 'Moana' is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.

The takeaway

The emotional tribute from Dwayne Johnson to his grandfather, who inspired the character of Maui, underscores the personal connection the actor has to the Moana franchise and the importance of authentically representing Pacific Islander cultures in this high-profile Disney remake.