Disney has successfully mined its animated back catalogue for live-action (usually with CG elements) remakes for years now. But they're usually decades after the originals. With the announcement – originally courtesy of CEO Bob Iger to shareholders, but via The Rock for audiences — that 2016's Moana is joining the list – you have to wonder if the live-action version will be announced for the likes of say, the upcoming Wish a week after the original arrives.
It's early days for the new movie, but from the sounds of it, Dwayne Johnson will certainly be back as Maui. "I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen," he says in a statement. "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."
Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced the title character, appears to be producing behind the scenes this time, while original co-director Jared Bush will be involved alongside Dana Ledoux Miller. Actual details are still to come, but hopefully, they know the way…