After launching a worldwide tour from Hawaiʻi earlier this month, the cast and filmmakers behind Disney’s “Moana,” including Dwayne Johnson, Catherine Lagaʻaia and director Thomas Kail, continued the global celebration of the film’s upcoming July 10 theatrical release this week in Australia and China.
Johnson, who reprises his role as the trickster demigod Maui and serves as a producer on the new film; breakout star Lagaʻaia, who stars as Moana; and director and executive producer Thomas Kail united on the evening of Thursday, June 25 for a special presentation at ICC Sydney in Australia.
The night began with a live musical performance led by Opetaia Foaʻi, who wrote the original songs for “Moana” with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina,and his band Te Vaka. Choreographer and associate producer Tiana Nonosina Liufau and assistant choreographer Kayla Faʻamaligi also attended the event, which celebrated the Pacific peoples, cultures and traditions that inspired the new film. Additionally, Johnson, Lagaʻaia and Kail completed a special photo call at the iconic Bondi Icebergs seaside pool in Sydney.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, June 23, Dwayne Johnson completed a “Moana”-themed photo call at The Bund in Shanghai, China and greeted elated fans at an exclusive event at the Shanghai Disney Resort.
In the film, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. ”
“Moana” features the new song “Along The Way,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performed by Cravalho, Laga‘aia and Johnson; original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina; and an original score composed by Mancina. Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana.”
The film releases exclusively in theaters July 10.
