Back in April, during Walt Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, Disney announced that it was developing a brand new live-action version of the classic animated film, “Moana” and released a video featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who stars as the demi-god, Maui, in the classic animated film.

Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.

Disney has released its updated theatrical release schedule for the next few years and has now confirmed that the live-action version of “Moana” will arrive in cinemas on 27th June 2025. So the film is still a while from hitting our screens, but it also gives Disney long enough to prepare for all of the current issues with the writer’s strike and potential other delays. With a summer 2025 theatrical release, it means we probably won’t see the new live-action version of “Moana” available on Disney+ until late 2025, though in the meantime, we can still enjoy the original animated film on Disney+.

The new “Moana” film will see Dwayne Johnson working as a producer on the new film, along with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions, and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, is also going to be an executive producer on the new film, though won’t be playing the role of Moana, due to her age.

Other executive producers include Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush and Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production. Bush, who was a director and co-writer of Disney’s Oscar-winning feature “Encanto” and a writer and co-director on Disney’s Oscar-winning film “Zootopia,” wrote the screenplay for 2016’s “Moana.” And Recently, it was revealed that “Hamilton’s” director Thomas Kail, will be directing the new live-action film.

What do you think of Disney making a live-action version of “Moana”? Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

View all posts