The live-action adaptation of “Moana” is about to start manufacturing in August, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed on Friday. Johnson introduced the information in an Instagram put up that featured Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina and Rena Owen as Grandma Tala. Johnson will reprise his position as Maui for the second time, having performed the demigod in “Moana” and this Thanksgiving’s “Moana 2.”
“It’s our deepest honor to share the legends, songs, dances and traditions of our Polynesian tradition with all of you and your households all over the world,” Johnson wrote. “Production begins this August.” The live-action “Moana” is about to debut in theaters on June 27, 2025.
Disney introduced the forged on June 12. Laga’aia stated in an announcement on the time, “I’m actually excited to embrace this character as a result of Moana is certainly one of my favorites. My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the primary island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have a possibility to have a good time Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to symbolize younger women who appear to be me.”
In January, the unique “Moana” Auli’i Cravalho defined why she isn’t returning to play the character within the live-action movie. “It feels actually vital to me to cross the baton to the subsequent younger lady of Pacific Island descent, and I say that with my complete chest,” she defined.
“I’ve been invited, and I exist in these stunning AAPI areas, Asian American Pacific Islander, and I’m one of many few Pacific Islanders. And I’ll say it once more, I’m one of many few Pacific Islanders. And our tales are so vital to be instructed.”
“We’re used. And I wish to inform our personal tales. I wish to be behind the digital camera as a lot as I’m in entrance of it,” Cravalho shared. “Once I speak about illustration, I wish to see the identical factor occurring in writers’ rooms. I wish to see the identical factor occurring with administrators. And Taika Waititi talks about this as properly, I wish to see showrunners who’re additionally of indigenous descent telling their very own tales.”
She continued, “And if it has to begin with me — I’m 23, but when it begins with me, so be it. I would like that door to swing huge open, and I can’t wait to fulfill the subsequent Moana.” Cravalho will likely be an government producer on the brand new movie.