Dwayne Johnson will be returning for a new version of Moana, that’s going to start filming shortly: more on Disney’s remake here.
Disney has clearly decided to stick its foot on the accelerator when it comes to making a few more quid out of the glorious animated film Moana. Appreciating there’s a lot of Encanto fans out there, for my money Moana is the last flat-out brilliant film from Walt Disney Animation Studios we’ve seen. I’ve enjoyed much of its output since, but this feels a high bar.
This winter, a film that was looking like it was going to streaming at one point – Moana 2 – arrives in cinemas. It’s suspiciously light on the lead creatives from the first film, but early signs are on the positive side. Then of course there’s the decision to remake the first film in some form of live action, although if it’s akin to the recent The Little Mermaid retread, then it’s going to be a bit of a hybrid.
Still, Disney is not discouraged, and has hired Thomas Kail, the man who directed the Broadway production of Hamilton, to steer the live action Moana. He’s had form with screen work too, not least the Disney+ version of Hamilton.
Dwayne Johnson is going to reprise his role as Maui in the new film, with Catherin Laga’aia landing the role of Moana. Other cast members include Frankie Adams, John Tui and Rena Owen.
Working from a screenplay by Jared Bush (who worked on the original) and Dana Ledoux Miller, the new film heads before the cameras this very summer. Understandably, filming will part take place in Hawaii, and it’s going to be heading off to the Georgia area of the USA as well.
With quite a lot of effects work going to be needed to realise the new Moana, the smart money is on a release in the first half of 2026. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more…
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