The new project was unveiled on Monday during the company’s 2023 shareholder meeting by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is best known for providing the voice of the demigod Maui in the 2016 Disney cartoon blockbuster.
“It is with profound gratitude that I share the news that we will be adapting the breathtaking tale of MOANA into a live-action feature film!” In the description of his news on Instagram, Johnson, who is now 50 years old, wrote.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana, and warrior strength,” he continued. “This story has been passed down from generation to generation.” “I proudly wear our culture on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me,” she said. “I wear our culture proudly on my skin and in my soul.”
The next part of Johnson’s statement was as follows: “We are honored to join with @DisneyStudios to share our story via the domain of song and dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people.”
He concluded by quoting the lyrics to Maui’s signature song “You’re Welcome,” and adding an emoji that was a clear nod to the character’s magical hook. The lyrics were “Much more to come, but until then / What can I saaaaay except….”
Johnson revealed the big movie news in an Instagram video in which he was shown on the beaches of Oahu, Hawaii, with his two younger daughters, Tiana, who will turn 5 this month, and Jasmine, who is 7. Johnson spoke about the culture and how it inspired Moana before revealing the news about the movie.
The actor-turned-wrestler stated, “We are so delighted and happy to announce that a live-action version of Moana is in the works.” He promised the return of the eponymous figure along with “Gramma Tala, the music, the dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the community,” and “the magnificent, strong ocean.”
“And just one more, do you happen to know that guy’s name?” He laughed heartily while snapping his fingers. “Oh! To anyone it may concern, I am, Heihei the chicken.”
Johnson commented, “Just kidding – Heihei is going to be in it, but of course, Maui will be in it too,” adding that Maui would also be included.
Johnson is committed to “starting this adventure off on the proper foot” despite the fact that they are “still very early in the process” of bringing the story to life in live action and that there is “more work to be done.”
The next thing that happened was that Jasmine and Tia brought a god-worthy hook that was life-size over to their father.
Despite first asserting that Johnson is not Maui in the real world, the girls eventually came around when Johnson offered them ice cream and said, “Yes, you are!”
Following its debut in theaters around the world in November 2016, the computer-animated feature film Moana brought in a total of 643.1 million dollars. Auli’i Cravalho voiced the title character.
Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk were among the voice actors who participated in the film, which was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements and had a screenplay written by Jared Bush. The film also featured Ron Clements and John Musker as the directors.
Moana received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film also features original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa’i.
According to a press release, the future live-action movie will be produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia under the banner of their Seven Bucks Productions along with Beau Flynn under the banner of Flynn Picture Co.