A familiar voice is making a comeback in Disney’s live-action Moana (2016) remake.
Disney’s live-action remake machine has spent the better part of a decade revisiting some of the studio’s most beloved animated classics. Few titles, however, have arrived for the live-action treatment quite as quickly as Moana.
Released in 2016, the animated film introduced audiences to a young Polynesian wayfinder tasked with restoring balance to her world. Featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina, the movie became a global success, earning more than $680 million at the box office and building an even larger audience through Disney+.
The film’s popularity made a remake feel inevitable.
This summer, Disney will bring Moana’s story back to theaters in live-action form. Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes over the title role, while Dwayne Johnson returns to play the larger-than-life demigod Maui after originating the character in the animated feature.
One notable absence remains Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original film. Although she chose not to reprise the role on screen, Cravalho remains involved behind the scenes as an executive producer on the project.
Now, Disney has revealed that Johnson won’t be the only returning cast member.
Disney Reveals Another Returning ‘Moana’ Favorite
Disney released a new trailer for the live-action Moana and quietly confirmed the return of one of the animated film’s most memorable supporting characters.
Jemaine Clement is officially reprising his role as Tamatoa, the treasure-obsessed giant coconut crab who memorably crossed paths with Moana and Maui during their journey through Lalotai.
The character became an instant fan favorite in the original movie thanks to his flamboyant personality and scene-stealing musical number, Shiny.
The ocean chose them 🌊 Tickets are now on sale for #Moana! Only in theaters July 10.
The ocean chose them 🌊 Tickets are now on sale for #Moana! Only in theaters July 10. pic.twitter.com/gLnIl7UPZU
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) June 10, 2026
Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the song saw Tamatoa boast about his collection of glittering treasures as Moana and Maui attempted to recover Maui’s magical fishhook.
Disney’s latest trailer offers a brief glimpse of the character and confirms Clement’s return to the role nearly a decade after the original film’s release.
Tamatoa joins Maui as one of the few major characters from the animated movie to retain the same performer in the live-action adaptation.
Trailer Suggests Disney Is Staying Close to the Original
Beyond Clement’s return, the latest footage has sparked discussion among Disney fans for another reason.
Just like the first Moana trailer, some of the new promotion’s biggest moments appear to mirror scenes directly from the animated film. Several shots, character interactions, and visual sequences closely resemble their 2016 counterparts, suggesting Disney has opted for a faithful adaptation rather than a substantial reimagining.
That approach differs from several previous Disney remakes.
Films such as Cinderella (2015), Aladdin (2019), and The Little Mermaid (2023) introduced notable changes to their stories and characters. Even Snow White (2025) made significant departures from the animated original – even if those changes did act as a detriment to its box office performance.
Reaction to the new Moana trailer has been mixed.
“Looks neat but feels so pointless especially considering the original is not even a decade old,” wrote one X user.
“Why don’t you do me a favor, Disney, and stop making these disgusting live action remakes,” another wrote. “And just revive stuff like Gigantic, and that Tiana series instead.”
Others questioned whether Disney missed an opportunity to tell a new Moana story within the same world.
“Just looks like AI, I just don’t see why we needed this. A Maui prequel alternate story would have been better. This just looks identical to the original.”
Whether that faithfulness proves to be a strength or a weakness remains to be seen.
What are your thoughts on Disney’s decision to remake Moana?
