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Over its century-long history, The Walt Disney Company has brought to life some of the most beloved princesses in cinematic history. From the timeless Snow White and Cinderella to Ariel in The Little Mermaid (1989), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Tiana in The Princess and the Frog (2009), Disney has continually redefined the princess archetype. In 2016, the studio made history once again by introducing its first Polynesian princess in the blockbuster animated film, Moana.
The story of Moana centers on Moana of Motunui, the determined and adventurous daughter of a village chief. Despite her father’s insistence on staying within the safety of their island, Moana feels an irresistible connection to the ocean.
Credit: Disney
Related: New Report Suggests Disney is ‘Quietly Killing’ the Live-Action Moana Film
When a mysterious darkness threatens her homeland, Moana defies the odds and sails beyond the reef to seek out the legendary demigod Maui. Together, they embark on a thrilling journey to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti, a powerful goddess whose artifact holds the key to saving her people and preserving their way of life.
Moana was an instant success, earning nearly $700 million at the global box office. Even eight years after its release, the film’s impact endures—Moana was the most-streamed movie on Disney+ in 2023, a testament to its timeless appeal.
Credit: Disney
In April 2023, Dwayne Johnson — who voiced the charismatic Maui in the animated classic — announced that a live-action remake was officially in development. The news sparked mixed reactions among fans. While some Disney enthusiasts expressed fatigue over the studio’s string of live-action remakes, others celebrated the opportunity to see Moana reimagined in a fresh and exciting way.
The live-action Moana is set to debut in theaters on July 10, 2026, and production is currently underway on the stunning shores of Oahu, Hawaii. Given the scale of the project and the intimate setting, it has proven challenging to keep production details under wraps — especially with a high-profile star like Dwayne Johnson involved.
Credit: Disney
The excitement surrounding Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana took a turn this week as behind-the-scenes photos surfaced online, sparking a flurry of opinions from fans. While many are thrilled to see their beloved 2016 animated classic come to life, others couldn’t help but express disappointment, particularly with how some key elements of the production appear to be shaping up.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who famously voiced Maui in the animated original, reprises his role in the live-action version. Recent photos revealed him sporting Maui’s signature tattoos and larger-than-life persona. Standing alongside Catherine Lagaʻaia, who plays the titular Moana, the images showcased a tropical Hawaiian backdrop befitting the story.
Welp, you film out in public on one of the most popular beaches on the West Side and you’re bound to have people take pics and get a leak or two, especially if you’re Maui and Moana.
Welp, you film out in public on one of the most popular beaches on the West Side and you’re bound to have people take pics and get a leak or two, especially if you’re Maui and Moana. pic.twitter.com/u8pkCqmfeb
— Reel News Hawaii (@reelnewshawaii) November 20, 2024
Related: Live-Action ‘Moana’ Set to Break Longstanding Disney Tradition
Some fans celebrated seeing Johnson embody the iconic demigod, with comments like:
Looks like The Rock was born to play Maui! 🌺 Can’t wait for the adventure!
Looks like The Rock was born to play Maui!
🌺 Can’t wait for the adventure!— Rakesh barupal (@MrRakeshbarupal) November 21, 2024
Related: ‘Moana 2’ Update Reveals Dwayne Johnson’s Insights on New Story
Others, however, questioned creative decisions. A heated point of contention? Johnson’s costume. Rather than applying Maui’s intricate tattoos directly to his skin, Disney appeared to opt for a bodysuit, which fans felt detracted from the realism.
One tweet summarized the sentiment:
Dwayne Johnson is BUILT like a god. Why didn’t they just paint the tattoos on him? This bodysuit looks… off.
The live-action Moana is slated to release in theaters on July 10, 2026, with filming currently underway on the picturesque shores of ‘Oahu, Hawaii. Directed by Thomas Kail and produced by Johnson himself, the project promises to stay true to the heart of the animated film while delivering a fresh take on the beloved story.
Credit: Reel News Hawaii, X
The original Moana followed the courageous journey of a Polynesian teenager, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, as she ventured across the ocean to save her island from a mysterious darkness. Her quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti alongside the larger-than-life Maui resonated with audiences of all ages.
Despite some fan backlash, Johnson remains enthusiastic about bringing Maui to life in a new way. The actor has repeatedly expressed his personal connection to the character, who was inspired in part by his own late grandfather.
Are you excited about Disney’s live-action Moana remake? Or do you think Disney needs to ease up on the live-action remakes? Let us know in the comments!
