Live-action Moana film in the works 

Dwayne Johnson, in a video message recorded from Hawaii, announced that a live-action version of Disney Animation’s 2016 hit movie Moana is in the works. This announcement was made during the Walt Disney Company’s Meeting of Shareholders Webcast by CEO Bob Iger.

The upcoming film will be produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Beau Flynn. Executive producers include Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original animated movie, and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production. Bush, known for his work on Disney’s Oscar-winning movies Zootopia and Encanto, will be responsible for writing the screenplay for the new Moana movie.

Like the original animated feature, the live-action film will celebrate the traditions, communities, and islands of Pacific Islanders, seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on her ancestors’ lives won hearts worldwide, along with her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.

Johnson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to bring the story of Moana to the live-action big screen. He said: “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui is one that runs very deep for me.”

Auli’i Cravalho, the native Hawaiian actor who voiced Moana in the original film, expressed her excitement at the thought of sharing Moana’s story in a whole new way: “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring, not only to audiences around the world but also to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life.”

Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, said that the live-action “Moana” movie would join a successful lineup of live-action adaptations that includes “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and the highly anticipated live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.”

The original Moana movie debuted in 2016 and grossed nearly $644 million in global box office. It is among the top 15 movies streamed in the United States in 2022. The film’s soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, was lauded worldwide, winning a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media (“How Far I’ll Go”) and an Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures – Original Song (“How Far I’ll Go”).