Dwayne Johnson Honors Grandfather in Moana Live-Action

0:00On April 17th, Dwayne Johnson got emotional at Disney Cinemacon in Las Vegas, honoring his late grandfather while unveiling new footage from the live-action Moana. He revealed that the character Maui, which he voiced, drew heavy inspiration from his granddad, someone he called high-chief. Johnson shared a photo of him on stage, tying a right back to over ten years of bringing that larger-than-life persona to life. As a producer on the 2026 live-action flick, Johnson explained why shifting from animation to real actors matter so much. In less-than-spot light, actual Pacific Island folks, making the story hit different and feel more authentic. He first brought Maui to the screen in the original animated hit and reprised the role in the sequel. The crowd erupted in applause when he dedicated the moment to his grandfather, showing how personal this project runs for him. At 53, Johnson highlighted the cultural pride it sparks for Polynesian communities, turning

1:01a fun adventure into something deeper. In the fresh trailer, Moana hears that the ocean picked her for a big quest, then teams up with Maui, who's all charm and ready to save the day. He cracks lines about always having time for fans, keeping that signature swagger. This live-action glow-up keeps the magic rolling while grounding it in real roots, and fans are already hyped for what's next from the rock. That wraps entertainment and celebrity news today, brought to you with AI. I'm Corey with The Story.