The actor previously announced that the remake of the 2016 Disney animated film will hit theaters on June 27, 2025.
What can Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson say but, “You’re welcome!”
On Monday, the actor (51) confirmed that he will soon to go into production of the live adaptation Disney’s animated film from 2016 Moana.
“My next project that I will shoot is a live-action version Moana”, he revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“You’re a real-life Maui!” host Jimmy Fallon raved about the fact that Johnson would be reprising his role as a shape-shifting demigod.
“I am the true life of Maui. Thank you guys so much. I’m so excited about this,” added Johnson.
Dwayne Johnson teases his performance as Maui in live-action ‘Moana’: ‘I’ll give it everything I’ve got’
The Black Adam star also shared that it’s “amazing” Hamilton director Thomas Kail will helm the upcoming project, with Lin Manuel-Miranda returning as the lyricist for all of the original music featured in the animated version.
“I can’t wait. Here’s the thing, Jimmy, listen,” Johnson said before grabbing the mic and launching into a song with lyrics to his character’s hit song, “You’re Welcome.” Fallon joined in on the chorus.
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Reimagining live Moana was first revealed to be in the works when Johnson announced the upcoming project during Disney’s 2023 shareholder meeting in April.
“We are deeply humbled to announce that we are bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the big screen live!” Johnson wrote in the caption of his Instagram post.
Dwayne Johnson and his character Maui in “Moana”.
Amanda Edwards/WireImage; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett
Auliʻi Cravalho does not reprise the role of Moana in the live-action version: ‘It’s an honor to hand over this baton’
“This story is my culture, and this story is a symbol of the grace, flaw and warrior strength of our people,” he continued. “I proudly carry our culture on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, runs deep within me.”
“We are honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as a Polynesian people,” Johnson added before ending the post with a nod to his character’s magical hook in an emoji after quoted the lyrics of the song “Nema na če.”
In a video he filmed with his daughters Tiana, 5, and Jasmine, 7, on a Hawaiian beach to announce the project, Johnson promised the return of the titular Disney princess plus “Gramma Tala, music, dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the village.” and “a beautiful, mighty ocean.”
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Moana (voice: Auli’i Cravalho), Maui (voice: Dwayne Johnson).
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Everett
Shortly after the announcement, Johnson revealed that the upcoming live action remake is set to hit theaters on June 27, 2025.
“Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface. Far below in some cases,” he quoted the title character in a June Instagram post, which included a photo of a Hawaiian island with Moana the song “Tulou Tagaloa” sung by Olivia Foa’i is playing.
“It is an honor to share our legends, songs and dance of our Polynesian culture with all of you and your families. Love and flaw,” concluded the wrestler-turned-actor.
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Source: HIS Education