NYC premiere of new live-action 'Moana' film held in Lin-Manuel Miranda's neighborhood of Washington Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, New York — Disney’s live-action “Moana” cast and creative team brought the film to Washington Heights on Thursday night for its New York premiere.

A blue carpet welcomed guests as they arrived for an early look at the highly anticipated movie.

The new film reimagines the Oscar-nominated animated adventure that became a favorite for audiences around the world.

Thomas Kail, known for directing “Hamilton,” makes his feature film directorial debut with the project.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is also part of the creative team, serving as a producer and writing music for the film.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returns for the movie and spoke with Joelle Garguilo at the premiere, reflecting on his childhood connection to Hawaii.

“That kid who got evicted off the island of Hawaii and who couldn’t pay the rent? I always say this because it’s locked in my brain. 180 bucks a week was our rent and we couldn’t pay it so we got evicted. So that kid who got evicted off the island to now here in NYC, Moana, this crazy blue carpet, it’s amazing,” Dwayne Johnson said.

“I want people to see it with their families in theatres. I think a lot of people discovered Moana at home, on streaming, and their kids sing the songs and they sing the songs but it’s a whole other experience to see Tommy’s incredible vision of this film on a big screen with the surround sound,” Lin-Manuel Miranda said.

Watch the new live-action “Moana” film in theaters everywhere Friday, July 10.

Disney is the parent company of this station.

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing news: Prosecutors to play redacted statements from defendant roommate in Charlie Kirk shooting

Tyler Robinson Hearing Update: Prosecutors to Play Roommate’s Redacted Statements in Charlie Kirk Shooting Case

PROVO, Utah — Utah prosecutors are expected to play audio recordings in…
Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say

Toddler Found Alive in Morgue After Being Declared Dead as Family Plans Legal Action

ICE officer Gregory Simmons details saving child from drowning ICE Law Enforcement…
Ohio house of horrors suspect granted bail because his medical care that could 'bankrupt' the county, prosecutor says

Ohio House of Horrors Suspect Granted Bail After Prosecutor Warns Medical Costs Could Bankrupt County

An Ohio grandfather who lived in a squalid home where authorities say…
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo killed: Family says dad was scared and 'wanted to protect his tools, workers' before ICE shooting

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s Family Says He Feared for Workers Before Fatal ICE Shooting

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The sons of a man fatally shot by…
Argentinian flight instructor jumps to death from plane, 22-year-old student forced to land alone

Argentine Flight Instructor Dies After Jumping From Plane as 22-Year-Old Student Lands Alone

A flight instructor fatally jumped from a small plane in Argentina during…
Federal inmates may soon get tablets with messaging capabilities as Bureau of Prisons makes modernization push

Federal Inmates Could Get Messaging Tablets Under Bureau of Prisons Modernization Plan

Alleged prisoner tablet fraud sparks White House probe House Oversight Chairman James…
Charlie Kirk murder suspect told roommate "he wishes he hadn't done it," police interview reveals

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Told Roommate He Regretted It, Police Interview Reveals

Tyler Robinson, the college student accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie…
Former cop Derek Chauvin appeals judge's rejection of bid for new trial in George Floyd murder case

Derek Chauvin Appeals Judge’s Denial of New Trial in George Floyd Murder Case

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is again challenging the court system,…
Members of international organized residential burglary ring arrested after posing as Amazon drivers, Irvine, CA break-in | Video

Wadsworth Man, 74, Arrested After Police Say 200,000 Child Sexual Abuse Files Were Downloaded

WADSWORTH, Ill. (WLS) — A 74-year-old man from north suburban Wadsworth has…
Chilling text from Tyler Robinson to trans lover boasts about gun doing 'just fine' after he allegedly killed Charlie Kirk

Tyler Robinson Texted Partner That Gun Was Just Fine After Alleged Charlie Kirk Killing

Tyler Robinson claimed in a text to his transgender partner that the…
NASA chief confirms agency has unexplained UFO imagery; 'we don't know what it is'

NASA Chief Confirms Agency Holds UFO Imagery It Has Yet to Explain

Trump admin creates panel to study UAP reports Astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who…
Ayatollah Khamenei's compound after US-Israel strike that took out Iran's Supreme Leader

Ayatollah Khamenei’s Compound Seen After US-Israel Strike Kills Iran’s Supreme Leader

Iran has offered the first look inside the shattered compound where Ayatollah…