Dwayne Johnson sets sail on his biggest tour yet for live-action Moana

Disney is pushing the live-action Moana hard, and Dwayne Johnson is steering the ship himself. He just rolled out what he says is the biggest promo tour of his career to get the film in front of as many people as possible before it hits theaters on July 10, 2026. Given how personally connected he is to the story and its Polynesian roots, this one clearly means more to him than your average blockbuster lap around the globe.

The tour: big, loud, everywhere

Johnson says the team has been planning this thing for nearly a year. It lifts off in Hawaii on Monday, June 15, then crisscrosses multiple continents for premieres, fan events, interviews, and every media stop they can cram into a schedule. He also joked he will somehow squeeze in the gym, meditation, and tequila along the way, which, sure, sounds like him.

"We've been preparing for our LIVE ACTION MOANA TOUR for almost a year now."

Here are the cities he called out, in the order he posted them:

• Hawaii
• Shanghai
• Sydney
• London
• Rio de Janeiro
• Miami
• Puerto Rico
• Los Angeles
• New York
• Tokyo

One thing he emphasized: he is excited to introduce audiences to the film's lead. That would be Catherine Laga'aia, who has been getting strong early praise from the cast and creative team. Expect a lot of attention on her during this tour.

The movie: a familiar voyage with higher stakes

This remake replays the 2016 story: Moana sailing beyond the reef with the demigod Maui to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island. The music team from the original is back in the mix too: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina. The themes that turned the animated film into a modern classic — courage, identity, exploration — are still the backbone.

But there is pressure here. Moana 2 did big numbers in 2024, even as some fans felt it leaned a little too hard on the first movie's playbook. That puts the live-action version in a tricky spot: honor what people love, but give them something fresh, not just a shot-for-shot nostalgia trip. Disney clearly thinks the story still has pull with a new generation, and this rollout is built to prove it.

Timing and what to watch for

The final trailer arrived on June 10, 2026, and the movie opens July 10. With this sprawling tour underway, Disney is treating Moana as one of its tentpoles for the year. For Johnson, it's more than a milestone promo blitz — it's a victory lap for a story tied closely to his heritage, now reintroduced on a massive stage.

Are you in for Catherine Laga'aia's take on Moana and Johnson leading the charge? Drop your thoughts below — I'm curious where your hype meter is after that final trailer.