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Moana (2026 film)

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Moana
Directed byThomas Kail
Screenplay by
Based onDisney's Moana
by Jared Bush
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyÓscar Faura
Music byMark Mancina
Production
companies
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release date
  • July 10, 2026 (2026-07-10)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Moana is an upcoming American musical action adventure fantasy film directed by Thomas Kail from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Dwayne Johnson, Hiram and Dany Garcia, and Beau Flynn. The film is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 2016 animated film Moana, and the third installment in the Moana franchise. It stars Catherine Lagaʻaia in her film debut as Moana and Johnson reprising his role as Maui from the animated film.

Development of a live-action Moana film was announced by Johnson in April 2023. Kail was hired as director in May of the same year and Lagaʻaia was announced in the title role in June 2024, along with the main supporting cast. Principal photography occurred in Atlanta and Hawaii between July and November 2024.

Moana is scheduled to be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States and Canada on July 10, 2026.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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On April 3, 2023, it was announced on Dwayne Johnson's official YouTube channel that a live-action remake of Moana (2016) was in development at Walt Disney Pictures, with Johnson producing alongside his ex-wife Dany Garcia along with her brother, Johnson's ex-brother-in-law Hiram Garcia, for Seven Bucks Productions, and Beau Flynn for Flynn Picture Co., and the animated film's lead star Auliʻi Cravalho serving as executive producer. Johnson remarked "This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. ... [T]here is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people." Sean Bailey, Disney Live Action's president of production at the time, acknowledged that, although only seven years had passed since the animated film was released, the celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary contributed to the decision to remake the film so soon.[1]

On May 31, 2023, Thomas Kail was announced as the director.[2] Casting was expected to begin later in the year, but was suspended until November 8, 2023, due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[3] In February 2024, Johnson stated that an actress had been cast in the titular role, but that the actress would be kept under wraps for the time being.[4] In June, Catherine Lagaʻaia was revealed to be the actress cast in the titular role, alongside John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen joining the cast, with Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller writing the screenplay.[5]

Filming

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Principal photography began in Atlanta on July 29, 2024, under the working title Canon,[6][7][8] and wrapped in Hawaii on November 22.[9] It was previously scheduled to begin filming in June 2024 under the working title Motorheads,[10] after being delayed from an October 2023 start date due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.[11] Óscar Faura serves as cinematographer.[12]

Music

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Mark Mancina, who provided the musical score for the original film and its sequel, confirmed in December 2024 that he will return to score the remake.[13]

Release

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Moana is scheduled to be released on July 10, 2026, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the release of the original film.[14] It was originally scheduled for release on June 27, 2025,[15] but following the announcement of Moana 2, it was delayed to its current date as a consequence of the eight-month gap between the two films.[14][16][17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Earl, William (April 3, 2023). "'Moana' Live-Action Remake Set at Disney With Dwayne Johnson Returning". Variety. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Kit, Borys (May 31, 2023). "Disney's Live-Action 'Moana' Taps Hamilton Helmer Thomas Kail as Director". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  3. ^ "'Moana', 'Lilo & Stitch' among Hawaii productions halted as actors join writers on strike". Hawaii Public Radio. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Ulatowski, Rachel (February 10, 2024). "Live-Action Moana Movie Gets Casting Update After Surprise Sequel Announcement". ScreenRant. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  5. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 12, 2024). "Disney Finds Their Live-Action 'Moana' In Catherine Laga'aia". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Shayo, Lukas (July 6, 2024). "Moana Live-Action Filming Start Month Confirmed By Dwayne Johnson". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Hermanns, Grant (May 25, 2024). "Moana Live-Action Filming Start Window Revealed By Dwayne Johnson With BTS Video". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Ho, Rodney (August 2, 2024). "What's filming in Georgia in August 2024?". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Connor, Andrew (November 23, 2024). "Disney's Live-Action 'Moana' Starring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia Wraps Filming". Max Blizz. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Production Weekly – Issue 1391 – Thursday, February 29, 2024 / 178 Listings – 38 Pages". Production Weekly. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Rajput, Priyanca (April 25, 2023). "Disney's Live-action Moana sets Hawaii and Georgia shoot". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "Oscar Faura". LUX Artists. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  13. ^ Reporter, Film Music (December 9, 2024). "Mark Mancina to Return for Disney's Live-Action 'Moana' Movie". FilmMusicReporter. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (April 5, 2024). "Disney Sets 'Toy Story 5,' 'Mandalorian & Grogu' for 2026, Delays Live-Action 'Moana' by a Year". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  15. ^ McClintock, Pamela; Couch, Aaron (June 13, 2023). "Avatar 3 Pushed a Year to 2025, Two Star Wars Movies Head for 2026 and Avengers Films Delayed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  16. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (February 9, 2024). "'Moana 2' Was Supposed to Be a Disney+ Series. Why It's Hitting Movie Theaters Instead". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "Moana Live-Action Film Likely to Be Delayed by Disney After Moana 2 Announcement". Movies. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
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