Live-Action Moana Gets Encouraging Filming Update From Dwayne Johnson

Summary

• Dwayne Johnson confirms the live-action
  Moana
  remake will be starting production at some point this year.
• The live-action remake is in addition to an animated
  Moana 2
  , which will release in late 2024.
• Johnson will be appearing in both movies as Maui, but the live-action remake has found a new actor for the role of Moana.

Moana star Dwayne Johnson reveals when the live-action remake is set to go to camera. Released in 2016, Moana has since become one of Disney’s most beloved recent animated offerings. The world of the franchise is set to expand with both a Moana 2 animated sequel and a live-action remake. The remake, which will be directed by Thomas Kail, will feature Johnson reprising his role as Maui, a shape-shifting demigod of the sea.

Responding to a user question on a recent Instagram post, Johnson confirms that the Moana live-action remake will start filming at some point this year. The actor, however, doesn’t specify exactly when this year production will actually be starting. Check out a screenshot of his full response below:

“Moana animated sequel comes out this holiday sesaons and we’ll film live action Moana this year,” Johnson writes in his response.

What To Expect From The Live-Action Moana Movie

Who Else Is In The Cast?

Originally, a TV show was supposed to continue the story after the Moana ending, further expanding the franchise. Due to the first film’s continued popularity, however, and the strength of the animated material created for the series, Disney CEO Bob Iger ultimately decided that the project could find success as a feature-length sequel. Johnson will be returning to voice Maui in the follow-up movie, with Auli’i Cravalho also returning to voice the titular protagonist. The sequel is due out later this year.

The news that Moana 2 is now a movie, however, followed Johnson’s surprise announcement in spring 2023 that a live-action Moana is in the works. This film will serve as a straight remake of the original animated adventure, which is in keeping with Disney’s recent focus on live-action remakes of its beloved animated films. While Johnson will again be reprising his role as Maui, it’s notable that Cravalho will not be playing the live-action version of her character. Johnson recently revealed that a new actor has been cast as Moana, though he didn’t specify who.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is confirmed to be returning to write songs for the live-action
Moana
remake, though he isn’t returning for the animated sequel.

The first film provides an indication of what’s to come in the live-action remake, with the story seemingly poised to follow Moana as she embarks on an epic quest to find Maui and reverse a curse that afflicts her island. As for when the live-action film will release, the film was originally slated to bow in theaters in June 2025, but a recent report claims that the film has since been moved from this date. It remains to be seen when the live-action Moana will hit screens, but Johnson’s latest update suggests it may not be that far off.

Source: Dwayne Johnson/ Instagram