The live-action remake of “Vaiana” receives an exciting update from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Dwayne Johnson has officially announced when the live-action remake of Disney’s Vaiana – The wonderful world of lovein which he will reprise the role of Maui, is set to go into production. This powerful demigod will once again help the title character on her journey from her home island of Motunui to restore the heart of Te Fiti, with Johnson announcing on Instagram that production on the film will begin in August. The note about the start of production comes at the end of a more detailed post about the film’s casting, as in addition to Johnson’s role as a deity’s tenacious songwriter, all of the core family members have now been cast.

Catherine Laga’aia will play Moana, replacing Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the character in the hit 2016 animated film. John Tui plays Chief Tui, Moana’s father and head of Motunui. Frankie Adams plays Moana’s mother Sina, while Rena Owen rounds out the cast by taking on the role of the sweet and supportive Gramma Tala. You can read what Johnson had to say about the casting and production below:

“Exciting and inspiring casting news as we begin to bring our live-action MOANA family together.

CATHERINE LAGA’AIA AS MOANA

@JohnTui1 AS CHIEF TUI

@FrankieAdams AS SINA

@RenaOwen AS GRAMMA TALA

And I as a demigod ~ MAUI🪝

It is our great honor to share the legends, songs, dances and traditions of our Polynesian culture with all of you and your families around the world.

Production begins this August.”

“Vaiana” is the latest live-action remake from Disney

Over the past decade, Disney has focused on remaking some of its classic animated films as live-action films. The jungle Book, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, CinderellaAnd The Lion King are all examples of films that were recreated as live-action films. Only in February 2024 Lion KingThe 2019 remake is considered the most successful live-action adaptation to date. The remake, which stars Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé as Nala, grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, including $544 million in the United States and Canada alone. The original Vaiana – The wonderful world of love The film grossed $687 million at the worldwide box office, and Disney is no doubt hoping the remake will build on that success.

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Vaiana – The wonderful world of loveThe remake of will be released in July 2026, almost ten years after the first animated film was first released. However, it is far from the only upcoming live-action remake of an established Disney animated classic. In December 2024, there will be another Lion King New edition with Mufasa. Snow Whiteone of the first Walt Disney animated films, will be remade and released in cinemas on March 21, 2025. Remakes of Lilo & Stitch, Hercules, BambiAnd Aristocats.

Vaiana – The wonderful world of love also gets an animated sequel with Vaiana 2 – The Great Adventure. This film will also see Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. However, for the animated sequel, Auliʻi Cravalho will reprise her role as the titular Moana in her next adventure. Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear will replace Lin-Manuel Miranda as songwriters. Miranda will continue to work on the live-action adaptation of Vaiana – The wonderful world of love. Development on the sequel began in 2020 as a Disney+ original television series, but was then reworked into a theatrical sequel, with David Derrick Jr. making his directorial debut. Vaiana 2 – The Great Adventure is scheduled to hit theaters on November 27th of this year.