Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Australian actor Catherine Lagaʻaia were in Sydney on Thursday night (June 25th) to celebrate Disney’s live-action “Moana” ahead of its release next month.
Held at ICC Sydney, the event welcomed cast members including Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui while also serving as a producer, and Australian newcomer Lagaʻaia, who takes on the title role of Moana. They were joined by director Thomas Kail, original songwriter Opetaia Foaʻi, choreographer and associate producer Tiana Nonosina Liufau, and assistant choreographer Kayla Faʻamaligi.
Rather than a traditional premiere, the evening opened with a celebration of the Pacific cultures that inspired the story. Foaʻi led a live performance alongside his band Te Vaka, joined by Jaedyn Randell – who voiced Moana in both “Moana Reo Māori” and “Moana 2 Reo Māori” – and the award-winning Signature Choir. The event was hosted by Samoan-Australian music journalist and broadcaster Sosefina Fuamoli.
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The live-action adaptation reimagines Disney’s 2016 animated hit, following Moana as she answers the ocean’s call and ventures beyond the reef of Motunui alongside the demigod Maui in a quest to restore prosperity to her people.
The film is directed by Emmy and Tony Award winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”), with Johnson producing alongside Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Original “Moana” star Auliʻi Cravalho also returned as an executive producer.
Music once again plays a central role, with Miranda, Foaʻi and Mark Mancina returning to contribute original songs and Mancina composing the score. The soundtrack also features the new song “Along the Way”, written by Miranda and performed by Cravalho, Lagaʻaia and Johnson.
“Moana” will land in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on July 8th.