Dwayne Johnson struggles to wow title character in ‘Moana’ first teaser
LOS ANGELES — “What’s a demigod gotta do?” Dwayne Johnson’s Maui asks when his audience isn’t impressed by his antics in the stunning first teaser for the upcoming Disney animated film “Moana.”
The titular heroine Moana — the studio’s first Polynesian princess — and her pet pig watch unamused as Maui recounts his heroic feats as his tattoos come to life — including using his “magical fishhook” to slow down the sun, pull islands out of the sea and battle monsters — and shows off his fight moves.
The film follow 16-year-old Moana (voiced by newcomer Auli’i Cravalho) as she teams up with Maui to voyage across the Pacific to find a mythical island and thereby fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. The once-mighty demigod helps her become a master wayfinder and find her identity along the way.
The CG-animated feature’s musical score includes tracks from Opetaia Foa’i and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who won the Tony Award on Sunday night for best original score and best book of a musical.
“Moana” reunites the directing duo of Ron Clements and John Musker, who worked together on “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “The Princess and the Frog.”
The film, produced by Osnat Shurer, hits theaters on Nov. 23 — Thanksgiving Day.
