Disney Studios and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have announced a collaboration to bring Moana fans a brand-new live-action remake.
A reworking of the animated 2016 family adventure “is in the works,” according to Johnson, who made the announcement during the Disney 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Webcast on Monday, April 3.
Johnson remarked in a pre-recorded section while accompanied by his two youngest kids, Tia and Jasmine, on a beach in O’ahu: “We are so excited and happy to announce a live-action reimagining of Moana is in the works.”
“Moana, Grandma Tala, the music, the dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the village, the beautiful, powerful ocean and one more… What’s that guys? Oh, yours truly… Heihei the chicken! Kidding. Heihei is gonna be in it, but of course, Maui will be in it too.”
Johnson provided the voice of the god Maui in the well-known Disney musical, who teams up with the title character Moana (Auli’I Cravalho) on a dangerous quest to preserve the planet.
“Many of you may not know the brilliant team at Disney Animation, my partners, we found so much inspiration for Maui in the mana and the presence of my late grandfather, the legendary High Chief Peter Maivia,” the actor continued, adding that “in a way, when I bring Maui to life, I’m doing it in the spirit of my grandfather.”
A tweet from Dwayne Johnson’s official account remarked, “Humbled to say we’re bringing #MOANA’s beautiful story to the live action big screen! #MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I’m honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people”-
Humbled to say we’re bringing #MOANA’s beautiful story to the live action big screen!#MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I’m honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people pic.twitter.com/CxJFKQewUS
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 3, 2023
The first Moana was a box office success, grossing more than $645 million (£520 million) globally.
“The heroine here isn’t another of Disney’s caucasian princesses but a rebellious and single-minded young Polynesian girl,” The Independent’s critic Geoffrey McNab praised in his four-star review of the movie.
“What impresses most here is the way the filmmakers combine the traditional Disney elements – the sentimentality, the slapstick and the iridescent animation – with a storyline rooted in South Sea island myth and culture.”
Zachary Levi recently made headlines after it seemed like he was to blame Johnson for Shazam! 2’s poor box office performance.
According to The Wrap, Johnson had vetoed a post-credits scene featuring Levi’s Shazam, which would have been a marketing boost for Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
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