Disney is once again setting sail across the Pacific with Moana–this time in live action. The studio’s reimagining of the 2016 animated hit is officially in production, with a release date set for July 10, 2026.Credit: DisneyOriginally slated for 2025, the film was pushed back a year to allow more time for development and filming, and to cater to the surprise release of Moana 2 (2024), which went on to score over $1 billion at the global box office. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who voiced the shape-shifting demigod Maui in the original, returns both as star and producer, bringing his Polynesian heritage and personal connection to the story to the forefront.Announced in April 2023, Johnson revealed that the live-action Moana would “celebrate the islands, communities, and traditions of Pacific Islanders” while reintroducing audiences to the characters that captured hearts worldwide–Moana, Grandma Tala, Maui, and Te Fiti. “We are so excited and happy to announce that a live-action reimagining of Moana is in the works,” Johnson shared, promising a heartfelt return to the vibrant world of Motunui and beyond.Credit: DisneyDirecting the film is Thomas Kail, known for helming the hit musical Hamilton, making his feature film debut with Disney. Kail’s theatrical eye is expected to bring a sense of grounded realism and visual intimacy to the oceanic adventure.The screenplay is co-written by Jared Bush–who co-wrote the original Moana–and Dana Ledoux Miller, who noted that the story’s “visceral nature” and “human vulnerability” will feel more immediate in a live-action setting. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina, the songwriter behind many of the original’s beloved tracks, are also returning to contribute music, ensuring the film retains the soul and rhythm of its animated predecessor.Credit: DisneyCultural authenticity remains a major focus for the creative team. Johnson has emphasized that the story is “my culture — emblematic of our people’s grace, mana, and warrior strength.” The project aims to capture the natural beauty and spirit of Polynesia through real-world locations, with filming reportedly taking place in Hawaii and other Pacific island settings.Newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia has been cast as Moana, marking her breakout role. Auliʻi Cravalho, who originally voiced the character in 2016, will serve as an executive producer instead of reprising the role, explaining that “it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.” The supporting cast includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala–all actors with strong ties to Pacific Islander heritage.Credit: DisneyWhile the plot is expected to follow the same core story of a young woman setting sail across the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her people, the live-action remake is promising a more tactile and emotional experience.The filmmakers are reportedly leaning into practical effects, real ocean cinematography, and human performances to bring a new sense of depth to the familiar tale. Dana Ledoux Miller hinted that the adaptation’s realism would “give the movie a real human vulnerability that will make it feel fresh.”Dwayne Johnson Exits as Production WrapsWith eight months still to go, the live-action Moana wrapped filming this past week, meaning the cast has now exited the process. Of course, they may be needed for additional photography or reshoots.Credit: Netflix“Playing Maui has been the gift of a lifetime. Growing up as a Samoan–half Samoan and half black–in Samoan culture, Polynesian culture? We’re proud people. Proud of our culture,” Johnson said recently on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast in Orange County, California (via SFF Gazette). “And what Moana has represented is a really awesome global embrace of Polynesian culture, our values and our qualities and our pride and our mana,” said the Fast and Furious actor to the students in the crowd.”He added, “Today’s Tuesday. Just this past Friday, around 8:00 p.m., we officially wrapped the live-action version of Moana, so we can’t wait.”Credit: Disney“This upcoming summer, you guys will see live-action Moana, and it’s going to be pretty cool. I spent an entire week shooting ‘You’re Welcome,’ and the singing and the choreography is crazy,” the mega Hollywood star concluded.Moana is one of The Walt Disney Company’s biggest core franchises, so even with uncertainty over live-action remakes, the Polynesian-inspired flick stands in good standing due to its very loyal cross-generational fan base. However, there is always a risk, as seen with the response to more recent adaptations, such as Pinocchio (2022) and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023). Of course, there was also the very unique discourse that led to Disney’s Snow White (2025) crashing and burning at the box office.Credit: DisneyStill, some fans have questioned the need for a remake so soon after the original, especially since the animated sequel was released only last year. Yet, Disney’s live-action strategy has found success in retelling modern classics like Aladdin (2019) and The Lion King (2019) with renewed authenticity and spectacle.If done right, Moana (2026) could serve as both a tribute to the beloved original and a celebration of the Pacific cultures that inspired it. With Johnson returning as Maui and a new generation of talent stepping aboard, Disney’s latest voyage across the ocean looks set to rediscover what made Moana’s story so timeless in the first place.How do you feel about the live-action remake of Moana? 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