Movies - Moana: Disney Sets Sail with an Ambitious Live-Action Reimagining Led by Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson

By Mulder, 26 june 2026

Nearly a decade after the animated phenomenon captivated audiences around the world, Disney is preparing to bring Moana to life in an ambitious live-action adaptation that aims to celebrate Polynesian culture while introducing the beloved adventure to a new generation. Directed by Thomas Kail in his narrative feature debut, the film is scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026, exactly ten years after the release of the original animated classic. Rather than reinventing the story from the ground up, Disney has chosen to revisit the emotional heart of the original, combining spectacular visual effects, practical locations and a renewed emphasis on music, family and cultural authenticity.

The story remains faithful to the original journey. Responding to the ocean's mysterious call, Moana leaves the safety of her island of Motunui for the very first time, venturing beyond the protective reef that has defined her people's existence for generations. Joined by the legendary demigod Maui, she embarks on a dangerous voyage intended not simply to restore the balance of nature, but to secure the future prosperity of her community. Disney's latest trailers showcase a faithful recreation of iconic moments while emphasizing the breathtaking scale made possible through live-action filmmaking, with vast ocean landscapes, towering waves and richly detailed Pacific environments replacing their animated counterparts.

Perhaps the production's greatest strength lies in its casting. Australian actress Catherine Laga'aia makes her feature-film debut in the title role, inheriting one of Disney's most beloved modern heroines. Opposite her, Dwayne Johnson reprises Maui, becoming one of the rare performers to transition directly from voicing an animated Disney character to portraying the same role in live action. Supporting them are John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, Rena Owen as Gramma Tala and Jemaine Clement, whose involvement further strengthens the film's impressive roster of Pacific talent. Disney has consistently highlighted its commitment to authentic Polynesian representation, a goal that extends far beyond casting choices and into the creative leadership behind the production.

The origins of the project date back to April 2023, when Dwayne Johnson personally announced the adaptation. His enthusiasm stemmed from far more than nostalgia for a successful Disney property. During the announcement, Johnson described the story as deeply intertwined with his own heritage, explaining that Maui represents a personal connection to Polynesian culture and to the legacy of his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia. For Johnson, producing and returning to the role became an opportunity to celebrate traditions, music and storytelling that have shaped generations throughout the Pacific. Those sentiments have remained at the heart of Disney's promotional campaign, distinguishing Moana from many previous live-action remakes by framing it as both entertainment and a cultural tribute.

Behind the camera, the project assembled an experienced creative team. Thomas Kail, whose acclaimed work on Hamilton revolutionized the capture of live theatrical performance, directs from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, both already closely associated with the franchise. Production is led by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Beau Flynn and Lin-Manuel Miranda, while original Moana voice actress Auliʻi Cravalho serves as executive producer, allowing one of the franchise's defining creative voices to remain closely connected to its evolution. Principal photography took place between July and November 2024 across Atlanta and Hawaii, providing authentic tropical landscapes that complement the film's extensive visual effects work supervised by Academy Award-winning effects veteran Bill Westenhofer, with cinematography by Óscar Faura and editing by Melanie Oliver.

Music remains one of the production's defining pillars. Academy Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda returns after missing Moana 2 because of scheduling commitments, reuniting with composer Mark Mancina, whose orchestral score helped define the emotional identity of the original film. The remake also introduces a brand-new song, "Along the Way," performed by Auliʻi Cravalho, Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson, symbolically bridging the animated and live-action incarnations of the franchise. That musical continuity reinforces Disney's determination to preserve the emotional connection audiences developed with the original while enriching the experience through new material.

The film's development has not been without interesting behind-the-scenes stories. Production was initially delayed by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, pushing filming into mid-2024. Another noteworthy anecdote emerged during post-production, when reports revealed that Disney had explored using AI-assisted digital face replacement technology from Metaphysic for selected Dwayne Johnson scenes. Although the approach reportedly had the actor's approval, the studio ultimately abandoned the idea amid the growing public debate surrounding artificial intelligence in filmmaking. The decision illustrates how major studios are increasingly weighing technological innovation against audience expectations and industry concerns regarding the ethical use of AI.

With a reported production budget exceeding $200 million, Moana ranks among Disney's most ambitious live-action adaptations. Unlike earlier remakes that primarily relied on nostalgia, this project benefits from the continued popularity of a franchise that has expanded with Moana 2 and remains one of Disney's strongest modern brands. At approximately 115 minutes, the film offers a slightly expanded adventure over the original animated feature while remaining focused on character relationships and emotional storytelling rather than radically altering the narrative. The trailers suggest that audiences can expect familiar songs, memorable creatures including Pua and Hei Hei, spectacular ocean imagery and a renewed sense of scale designed for IMAX exhibition.

As Disney continues revisiting its animated classics, Moana occupies a unique position within the studio's strategy. Released only ten years after the original, the adaptation arrives much sooner than most previous remakes, reflecting both the enduring popularity of the character and Disney's confidence that Moana's message of courage, identity and exploration resonates as strongly today as it did in 2016. If the live-action version succeeds in balancing spectacle with the cultural sincerity that inspired the original, Thomas Kail, Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson and the entire creative team may well deliver one of Disney's most heartfelt reimaginings to date.

Synopsis :
Répondant à l’appel de l’océan, Moana s’aventure pour la première fois par-delà le récif de son île de Motunui. Accompagnée du célèbre demi-dieu Maui, elle embarque pour un voyage inoubliable destiné à permettre à son peuple de retrouver sa prospérité…

Moana
Directed by Thomas Kail
Written by Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller
Based on Disney's Moana by Jared Bush
Produced by Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Lin-Manuel Miranda
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, Jemaine Clement, Catherine Laga'aia
Cinematography : Óscar Faura
Edited by Melanie Oliver
Music by Mark Mancina
Production companies : Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions, Flynn Picture Co., 5000 Broadway Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date : July 8, 2026 (France), July 10, 2026 5united States)
Running time : 115 minutes