Last month, Dwayne Johnson revealed in a message from Hawaii that a live-action reimagining of Disney Animation s 2016 hit feature film Moana is in development.
The new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions, and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Executive producers include Auli I Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush and Samoan industry pro-Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production.
Bush, who was a director and co-writer of Disney s Oscar-winning feature Encanto and a writer and co-director of Disney s Oscar-winning film Zootopia, wrote the screenplay for 2016 s Moana.
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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While it was previously announced that Cravalho would serve as an executive producer on the project, many wondered if the actor would return to reprise her role in live-action, however, it was revealed today that Auli I Cravalho will not be reprising her starring role in Disney s upcoming live-action remake of Moana. Cravalho posted a video to Instagram Friday sharing the news.
When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career, the now 22-year-old said. In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.
I can t wait to find the next actress to portray Moana s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength, Cravalho said.
I m truly honored to pass this baton to the next woman of Pacific Island descent to honor our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures, and communities that help inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representations to come. Mahalo.
Filming on the project will reportedly begin later this year in Hawaii & Georgia.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Moana debuted in theaters on Nov. 23, 2016, grossing nearly $644 million at the global box office. The title, which debuted on Disney+ with the streamer s 2019 launch, is among the top 15 movies streamed in the United States in 2022.
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The film s soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa, and Mark Mancina, was lauded worldwide. Miranda won 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 ).
In 2021, the Moana soundtrack broke a Billboard Soundtrack chart record for the amount of time spent at number one (52 weeks). Additionally, the film was nominated for an Academy Award (best-animated feature film of the Year), 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 ).