Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’ Reveals First Look at Te Fiti in Final Trailer

Disney has spent nearly two years teasing its live-action adaptation of ‘Moana,’ gradually revealing how beloved characters transition from animation to live-action and CGI.

Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, this time alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia in the title role, with the film set to hit theaters just a decade after the original became a worldwide sensation.

So far, much of the anticipation has centered on the human cast, from Laga’aia donning Moana’s iconic red outfit to Johnson’s much-discussed new appearance as Maui. Fans have meticulously analyzed every frame of the trailers to see how the film would portray its mythological characters in a live-action context.

Now, there’s an answer for one of the story’s pivotal characters. The final trailer for ‘Moana’ has unveiled a first look at the island goddess Te Fiti, brought to life alongside other significant figures like the treasure-loving crab Tamatoa and Maui’s signature shapeshifting scenes.

Te Fiti has always held a unique, almost mythical role in the ‘Moana’ universe, existing more as a dormant landmass than a traditional character, making her live-action adaptation one of the more challenging design tasks for the production. Judging by the newly released footage, the team opted for a naturalistic, earthbound interpretation of the goddess, crafted from moss, stone, and greenery, rather than the stylized animated form that fans are familiar with.

This choice aligns well with a project that has generally aimed to ground its fantastical elements in a more tangible and lived-in reality.

Te Fiti isn’t the only classic ‘Moana’ element receiving a fresh take in the final trailer. The footage also showcases Tamatoa, the glitzy crab from the animated films, along with glimpses of Maui’s animal transformations and his animated tattoos, all rendered for the first time in live action.

The film’s supporting cast has been confirmed for some time, featuring John Tui as Moana’s father Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as her mother Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Familiar characters like Hei Hei the rooster and Pua the pig also return in CGI form, alongside the formidable volcanic deity Te Kā, who retains much of her iconic look from the original film.

Behind the scenes, Thomas Kail makes his feature directorial debut after directing the acclaimed film adaptation of “Hamilton,” working from a script by original ‘Moana’ writer Jared Bush and ‘Moana 2’ co-director Dana Ledoux Miller. Johnson serves as a producer alongside Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has also contributed a new original song titled “Along the Way” to the soundtrack.

One detail that has yet to be revealed in the marketing is how many new songs will be included in the film beyond that single addition, with the majority of the soundtrack expected to feature the original work of Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa’i from the animated films. This is a common practice for Disney’s live-action remakes, which typically preserve beloved original music while adding one or two new tracks aimed at awards consideration.

The stakes for this remake are high, given the enduring popularity of the source material. The 2016 original grossed over 687 million dollars worldwide, and its 2024 animated sequel performed even better, surpassing the billion-dollar mark globally. This means the live-action version comes with a massive built-in audience already invested in these characters.

‘Moana’ also signifies a shift in Disney’s remake strategy, as the studio has typically waited decades before revisiting its animated classics in live-action form. Bringing the story back less than ten years after the original was released is a notably quicker turnaround than previous efforts like last year’s “Lilo & Stitch,” which took over two decades to receive the same treatment.

With the film set to premiere in theaters on July 10, this final wave of marketing seems aimed at reassuring longtime fans that the mythological core of the story, from Te Fiti’s dormant island form to Te Kā’s fiery wrath, has been treated with the same care as its human cast. Whether this will translate into the same box office success as its predecessors remains to be seen.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!