During Disney’s annual shareholders meeting on Monday, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson revealed some exciting news: the beloved cast of Moana will return to the big screen, this time in a live-action movie.
Johnson, alongside Disney CEO Bob Iger, announced the update in a pre-recorded teaser clip. In the clip, Johnson was seen with his daughters on a beach in Hawaii.
“We are so excited and happy to announce that a live-action reimagining of Moana is in the works. Moana, Gramma Tala, the music, the dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the village, the beautiful, powerful ocean, and one more… What’s that guy’s name? Oh, you’re truly, Heihei the chicken,” Johnson said, adding:
“[Just] kidding. Heihei is going to be in it but of course, Maui will be in it, too.”
“So, it’s still very early in the process, there’s so much more work to be done but until then, there is one more thing that I need to kick this journey off right.”
During the clip, viewers can see Johnson’s two daughters presenting him with a real-life version of Maui’s magical fish hook, a prop that fans of the 2016 animated film will surely recognize.
Johnson then went on to share how the original movie held significant personal meaning to him.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” he shared during the promo clip.
“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.”
Expressing his gratitude, Johnson thanked Disney for their “strong commitment to this special endeavor.”
“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,” he concluded.
In the upcoming live-action movie, Johnson will return to play the mischievous demigod of the wind and sea, Maui. Additionally, he and Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 original, are both set to produce the film.
Cravalho expressed her excitement about the project in a statement to Nerdist, saying, “I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”
As of now, no release date has been announced for the live-action adaptation of Moana, so stay tuned for further updates.
