"You're welcome." Disney's Moana will hit the big screens once again, this time as a live-action remake of the 2016 animated film. The remake will feature the return of Dwayne Johnson to the role of Maui and presumably a new rendition of him singing the earworm “You’re Welcome.”
The Hollywood Reporter also reports that Johnson has been tapped to develop the new film. Also returning is Moana's original screenwriter, Jared Bush, who will be joined by Dana Ledoux Miller. A director has yet to be announced.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “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.”
In the midst of an ecological crisis, Moana is a fearless teenaged girl who sets sail to find a mythological island to save her people from annihilation. Along the way, she meets up with almighty demigod Maui, who helps her save her family.
Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights, Hamilton) wrote the music and lyrics alongside Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina, while Tony nominees Christopher Jackson and Phillipa Soo voiced roles for the original animated film. “How Far I’ll Go” was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song.
The original animated musical also featured Auli'i Cravalho voicing the titular role (find out more about what it was like for her to meet Lin-Manuel Miranda). Cravalho returns for the live-action remake as an executive producer with Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Johnson will serve as producer via his Seven Bucks Productions along with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Beau Flynn produces via Flynn Picture Co.
The 2016 animated work was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements; Musker and Clements created the story with Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, and Jordan Kandell.
Moana marks Disney's first 21st century film to receive a live-action remake. The Disney princess film follows live-action remakes of the upcoming The Little Mermaid, plus Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Cinderella, and Mulan. Pre-production is currently underway for a Lilo & Stitch movie.
