Disney’s new live-action Moana trailer is getting hammered by fans on YouTube, with the official upload drawing heavy backlash over the remake itself, the visual effects, and even one line from Dwayne Johnson’s Maui that comes off as another red flag.
Disney released the official trailer on Tuesday for the film’s July 10 theatrical release (watch below).
A screenshot from Disney’s official YouTube channel shows the trailer with roughly 36k likes and 81k dislikes. Various browser extensions re-enable dislikes on YouTube. The reaction in the comment section and across social media has also been clearly negative.
Fans call out Disney’s remake obsession
A big part of the backlash is simple: a lot of fans still don’t want this movie to exist.
The original animated Moana opened in 2016, and Disney already followed it with Moana 2, so many viewers see this live-action version as another unnecessary remake instead of something new.
That frustration is showing up in the comments. Fans are mocking the movie as a CGI copy of the animated version and blasting Disney for once again going back to the remake well.
Comments highlighted by fans include lines like, “I have to admit, I do admire the bravery of Walt Disney Studios of keeping the comment section open,” and, “Dear Disney, there is no shortage of cultures and folk stories that you have never touched. NOBODY WANTS THESE REMAKES! TAKE. THE. HINT.”
Dwayne Johnson woke dialogue gets called out
One trailer moment getting extra attention involves Maui introducing himself as the “hero of men,” before quickly correcting himself to add, “Women, women too. Men and women!”
Moana responds, “Thank you,” and Maui answers, “You’re welcome.”
That exchange feels forced and awkward, which makes it sound as if Disney is trying too hard to inject woke gender politics into a scene that did not need it.
Disney sticks with the July release
Despite the backlash, Disney is moving ahead with Moana as one of its major summer releases.
The live-action remake stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, with Johnson returning as Maui. Thomas Kail directs, and the film is set to open in theaters on July 10.
Watch the trailer:
