Dwayne Johnson has starred in movies of numerous genres over the years. From family films like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jungle Cruise to action comedies like Central Intelligence and Red Notice, Johnson has appeared in movies of all kinds. Not to mention his portrayal of Luke Hobbs in the action film series Fast & Furious has made the franchise one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Dwayne Johnson has also touched down on the animation genre as he voiced the character Maui in the 2016 Disney film Moana. Now, years later, the movie is going to get a live-action remake and Johnson is going to reprise his role as Maui. Recently, he gave a major update regarding the movie while keeping the cards close to his heart.
Dwayne Johnson is Secretive About A Major Thing in the Live-action Moana
Moana, inspired by Polynesian myths, is a musical fantasy adventure animated film. It follows the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a coastal village, who is chosen by the ocean itself, on her quest to find the demigod Maui and return a mystical relic to goddess Te Fiti to save her people. While Auli’i Cravalho voiced the titular character Moana, Dwayne Johnson voiced Maui.
The movie was praised by critics and audiences alike and grossed over $682 million worldwide. It also received Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. In April 2023, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the movie was going to get a live-action remake.
Besides returning as Maui, Johnson will also be producing the live-action adaptation. However, Auli’i Cravalho is not returning as Moana. In an interview with ET, the wrestler-turned-actor revealed that they have found the actress for the titular role in the movie. He said:
“One of the exciting things about that was actually finding our Moana and how exciting that has been. The global search to find our Moana — which — between you and I, we found her — not gonna tell you yet. [It’s] very exciting.”
Auli’i Cravalho will be executive producing the movie. Others who worked on the animated film are returning to work on the live-action remake.
Dwayne Johnson is Going to Give His All to the Live-action Remake of Moana
Dwayne Johnson has previously expressed his immense gratitude about getting the chance to bring Moana to the live-action big screen because it represents his Polynesian culture.
While talking to ET, Johnson said that he would be giving his best to the movie as will everyone else. He said:
“We all really went for it. We thought if we’re gonna make a sequel to something so beloved, let’s really go for it. You also have the benefit and the beauty of the ocean. In Moana… the ocean is alive, so when the ocean has a heartbeat and a pulse, that’s just a whole different thing. I can’t wait. All new music, which we’re excited.”
Recently, the CEO of Disney Bob Iger also announced that an animated sequel of Moana will be released in November this year (via Deadline). He revealed that the studio was turning a Moana series into a feature film. The live-action adaptation of Moana is scheduled for release on June 27, 2025.
