The Latest Moana Live-Action Remake News
The most recent updates suggest that the Moana Live-action adaptation has cast its lead, months after it was leaked that original star Auli'i Cravalho would not reprise her part. Moana, a relative newcomer chosen to cover the void, will now be portrayed by Catherine Laga'aia. The young performer said she was thrilled to land a part representing young females that resemble her. John Tui will be playing Moana's father, Frankie Adams her mother, and Rena Owen her grandmother among the cast members.
Please find Laga's entire statement below:
Since Moana is among my favorites, I am quite eager to embrace this character. From Fa'aala, Palauli, in Savai'i, my grandfather hails. And my grandmother resides on the major island of "Upolu in Samoa from Leulumoega Tuai. Having the chance to commemorate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples as well as to speak for young girls just like me honors me.
Moana: The Animated Film
While most Disney's remakes have been of "classic" films published in the 20th century, 2016's Moana is the most current animated movie the studio has produced to be recreated as live-actions. Moana tracks the title princess as she sets out on an oceanic expedition to rescue her island. She visits many other legendary figures and trickster demi-god Maui along the journey as she works to heal Te Fiti's heart. Though it was just revealed in April 2023, Moana's live-action version is already the subject of much coverage.
The Moana from 2016 is accessible on Disney+.
The Moana Live-Action Remake Date:
Sadly for those who were looking forward the live-action version, Moana has lately been moved down Disney's calendar more than a year later than planned. Disney has now postponed the live-action Moana remake to July 10th, 2026, although initially it was anticipated in June 2025.
Although the Release Date is somewhat further off than what fans could have hoped for, the delays will give more time for flawless production. Given that the show is a remake, the animated picture is also probably something to draw upon.
Moana Live-Action Reconstruction Cast
Given it's a remake, the live-action Moana should keep most of the same characters. First actor hired for the project was Dwayen Johnson, who will be returning to reprise his loving demi-god, Maui. Auli'i Cravalho will be filming the film with Johnson but will not be returning as Moana. John Tui as Moana's dad, Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana's mother accompany newcomer Catherine Laga'aia in replacing Cravalho. Rena Owen will lastly be playing Moana's Gramma Tala.
With two major characters, the creators of the live-action rendition of Moana should find more simplicity. If they show in the film at all, Heihei the rooster ( Alan Tudyk) and Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement) will both require CGI constructions. Welcome additions to the cast would be Tudyk and Clement. While Heihei may simply produce bird noises, Tudyk's voice-acting talents sell the rooster as a multi-dimensional character. Tamatoa's song "Shiny" calls for Clement's singing prowess. The couple might very well come back for the live-action Moana ensemble.
Moana Live-Action Remake Story Details
The Moana Live-action version will most certainly use the same story beats as the animation film. Returning to pen the script, original writer Jared Bush worked with Dana Ledoux Miller to adapt it. Headstrong titular character Moana sets out from her native island in search of a remedy for the blight afflicting the territory. She meets the demi-god Maui along the road and gains personal insight as well.
Moana's narrative, which features many fanciful elements, mostly revolves on the sea, which could be difficult for a live-action remake. Fortunately, Disney is not new to big special effects-heavy films; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever proven they have artists able to create water effects blended with fantastical visuals that live-action characters could reasonably interact with. There shouldn't be many cuts and the entire narrative could be readily adapted into a live-action version.
Cast for the Moana Live-Action Remake
Given it's a remake, the live-action Moana should keep most of the same characters. First actor hired for the project was Dwayen Johnson, who will be returning to reprise his loving demi-god, Maui. Auli'i Cravalho will be filming the film with Johnson but will not be returning as Moana. John Tui as Moana's dad, Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana's mother accompany newcomer Catherine Laga'aia in replacing Cravalho. Rena Owen will lastly be playing Moana's Gramma Tala.
With two major characters, the creators of the live-action rendition of Moana should find more simplicity. If they show in the film at all, Heihei the rooster ( Alan Tudyk) and Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement) will both require CGI constructions. Welcome additions to the cast would be Tudyk and Clement. While Heihei may simply produce bird noises, Tudyk's voice-acting talents sell the rooster as a multi-dimensional character. Tamatoa's song "Shiny" calls for Clement's singing prowess. The couple might very well come back for the live-action Moana ensemble.
An Interpretive View on a Disney Classic Live-Action
Disney's Moana has a live-action adaptation under development, and there are many fascinating elements regarding the remake of the popular musical fantasy film. The most recent wave of live-action remakes of Disney animated movies began in 2010 with Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, but Disney has dabbled in this type of movie-making even before that. One Hundred and One Dalmatians with Glenn Close's 1996 live-action version was a very early instance of this.
Disney's reimagining of their hit movie Moana will be a retelling of the animated story with live-action versions of the cast of characters.
Moana Live-Action Remake: Further News & Info
Moana is the most recently produced animation film with a live-action remake. In fact, there have only been five Walt Disney Animation films produced between Moana's premiere in 2016 and the live-action remake announcement in 2023. It is an unusually quick turnaround for the studio, which tends to wait longer to make live-action adaptations. However, Frozen (2013) was remade as a Disney on Ice production (2014) soon after its premiere, followed by a Broadway play adaptation (2018), so a live-action remake of Moana is not completely unprecedented in that regard.
Fans will probably enjoy the upcoming film. The film's release is anticipated, given the popularity of the animated film. The remake is likely to continue the series.
Where Does Moana Fit With Disney's Slate Of Live-Action Remakes?
Despite producing a slew of live-action remakes already, Disney already has plenty more planned, some of which are further ahead in production than Moana. Peter Pan & Wendy debuted on Disney+ on April 28, 2023, and The Little Mermaid premiered May 26, 2023. Further along in the schedule, there will be the Snow White remake, and a prequel to The Lion King (2019) titled Mufasa: The Lion King.
The upcoming Disney live-action remakes include:
Disney Live-Action Remake
Release Year
Mufasa: The Lion King
2024
Snow White
2025
Lilo & Stitch
2024
Hercules
Unknown
Bambi
Unknown
Robin Hood
Unknown
The Aristocats
Unknown
