- Live-action Moana is now filming
- Dwayne Johnson to reprise his role of Maui
- The movie is set to be released in July 2026
As if getting an animated Moana sequel wasn’t good enough, Disney is currently working on a live-action Moana movie.
The film will be the latest entry in the studio’s growing trend of transporting their animated hits into real-world spectacles. Films like The Lion King, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid have made the leap from cartoon to reality. Plus, Snow White is set to join them next year.
Read more: All we know about Disney’s live-action Snow White
This new adventure will follow suit but when is Disney’s live-action Moana released? Who’s starring in it and what will it be about? We’ve searched the seven seas to gather all the information we have about this upcoming adaptation.
Read on to learn more…
When is the live-action Moana released?
Disney’s live-action Moana will be released theatrically on 10 July 2026.
The film was set to land earlier on 27 June 2025. However, this release date was pushed to make room for the animated sequel Moana 2. Originally, Disney had planned for Moana 2 to be Disney+ TV series but decided to turn it into a fully-fledged movie in early 2024.
A July 2026 ETA will see the live-action Moana hit cinemas as the original 2016 Moana celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Is there a trailer for the live-action Moana?
Unfortunately not. Disney’s live-action take on Moana is still filming and deep in production. This means that we’ve likely got a while to wait before we see any official footage.
That said, as soon as it washes ashore, you’ll find it here – so check back soon.
What is the plot for the Moana remake?
An official plot synopsis for Disney’s live-action Moana remake has yet to be released. However, as with many of the studio’s real-world adaptations, it’s likely that it will follow the same story beats as the original film.
Set in ancient Polynesia, Moana follows its titular heroine as she’s plucked from her small island life and chosen by the sea to help reconcile an angry ocean goddess named Te Fiti.
To help her on her way, she’s joined by Maui, a mythic demigod who can shapeshift using the power held in his magical fishhook. Together, the pair must bring a powerful relic to Te Fiti to bring peace to the ocean and save Moana’s fellow villagers.
Disney’s live-action Moana is being directed by theatre director Thomas Kail and the movie will mark his debut as a feature filmmaker. The film was co-written by Jared Bush, the same scribe who penned the original Moana. Dana Ledoux Miller joins Bush on writing duties.
Who is in the cast?
Dwayne Johnson AKA The Rock will return to portray the super-powered demigod Maui, the same character he voiced in Disney’s 2016 animated original.
The news was officially announced on Johnson’s YouTube account in “As you know Hawaii means so much to my family and me… the Pacific islands and their cultures inspired a very special story, one that you all know very well,” said Johnson in the video.
He continued, adding, “We are so happy and excited to announce that a live-action reimagining of Moana is in the works.”
Watch the full announcement video below:
“That’s a suit that took a long time to put on”
The first images of Johnson in character as Maui made their way onto social media in November 2024.
— Cosmic Media (@CosmicMMedia) November 20, 2024
After fans noticed Johnson’s tattooed bod – much like Maui’s animated counterpart – the actor confirmed that he was in fact wearing a body-suit.
“That’s a suit that took a long time to put on. So, I’m so happy you said, ‘You bulked up,’ because when you say, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell,” to Extra.
“That is a couple of hours every day of transforming, putting that on. We shot outside and when those pictures surfaced, I was like, ‘Sh*t, we got caught, ’cause we were putting up, like, walls so there was no paparazzi. But they got into boats and started shooting pictures. So, but I’m happy you liked it. I can’t wait. The movie comes out in 2026.”
Elsewhere, Johnson also discussed the challenges of bringing an animated character to life.
“I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it,” he told the outlet. “[But] the moment I stepped on set… as live-action Maui, I realized right away, ‘Oh, wow, this is different,’ in terms of this is real flesh-and-blood and skin-and-bones. It becomes real all of the sudden. It was almost like getting in my grandfather’s skin and what that was like.”
Is Auliʻi Cravalho in the Moana movie?
While Moana was originally voiced by actress Auliʻi Cravalho, she confirmed in early 2023 that she won’t be returning but she will be back as an executive producer.
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career. In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role,” said Cravalho shortly after Johnson released his video.
“I believe it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell,” she added.
“I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength.
“I’m truly honoured to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent to honour our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures and communities that help inspire her story, and I look forward to the beautiful Pacific representation to come.”
In June 2023, actress Catherine Lagaʻaia was confirmed as the new Moana, with Young Rock star John Tai playing Chief Tai, The Expanse star Frankie Adams playing Sina and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones actress Rena Owen set to play Gramma Tala.
