The reimagining of Disney’s hit animated feature joins the company’s lineup of films derived from its animated movie library, including the highly anticipated ‘The Little Mermaid’ opening in theaters next month.
Disney Animation’s 2016 popular animated feature Moana is getting a live-action redo, action start Dwayne Johnson announced today in a recorded message from Hawaii. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger shared the news during The Walt Disney Company’s Meeting of Shareholders Webcast.
Also involved in the production are Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller and Jared Bush, a director/co-writer of Disney’s Oscar-winning feature Encanto and writer and co-director of Disney’s Oscar-winning film Zootopia.
Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities, and traditions of Pacific Islanders, as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.
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Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia produce via their Seven Bucks Productions, and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co., alongside executive producers Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co.
“I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen,” said Johnson. “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, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion, and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.”
Native Hawaiian actor Cravalho, who helped shape Moana in the original film, shared her belief that the protagonist’s reach is sweeping.
“She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” said Cravalho. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me, and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”
The film joins a lineup of live-action adaptations, including 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, 2019’s Aladdin, and the highly anticipated live-action version of The Little Mermaid, opening in theaters May 26.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production (Disney Live-Action) president Sean Baily said, “It’s still early, but the idea of working with these fantastic partners to tell such a meaningful story on a live-action canvas, particularly as we celebrate 100 years of storytelling at Disney, is thrilling.”
Moana debuted in theaters November 2016 and, according to the studio, grossed nearly $644 million in global box office and was among the top 15 movies streamed in the United States in 2022. The title debuted on Disney+ with its 2019 launch. In addition, Moana received an Academy Award nomination (best animated feature film), a BAFTA (best animated feature film), and a pair of Golden Globes (best motion picture – animated and best original song (“How Far I’ll Go”)).
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
