After one of the most difficult theatrical runs in the studio’s modern history, Disney is turning the page on its live-action remake strategy with Moana. The company’s adaptation of the 2016 animated phenomenon is now deep into post-production ahead of its scheduled July 10, 2026, release, and the studio appears to be placing enormous confidence in the project as it reshapes the future of its remake slate.
The move comes after a turbulent period for Disney’s live-action division. Marc Webb’s Snow White (2025), starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, became one of the company’s most heavily scrutinized productions long before it reached theaters last year. From online controversy to intense debate surrounding creative decisions, the film struggled under constant attention throughout production and release. By the end of its theatrical run, Snow White had become a major financial disappointment for Disney and one of the studio’s most difficult releases in recent memory.
For a brief moment, industry observers questioned whether Disney might scale back its live-action remake ambitions altogether. Instead, the company accelerated development on several projects already in the pipeline. Among them is Tangled, the upcoming reimagining of the 2010 animated feature from The Greatest Showman (2017) director Michael Gracey. The film stars Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, alongside Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel and Diego Luna in a currently undisclosed role.
Yet even before Tangled gained momentum, Disney had already charted a course back to Motunui.
The live-action Moana was officially announced in April 2023, reintroducing audiences to one of Disney Animation’s most successful modern franchises. The original film became a cultural and commercial success following its 2016 debut, and its popularity only continued to grow in the years afterward through streaming and merchandising.
Disney initially intended the remake to debut in 2025, though plans shifted as the studio prioritized the release of Moana 2 (2024). That sequel exceeded expectations at the global box office, ultimately surpassing $1 billion worldwide and reinforcing the franchise’s standing as one of Disney’s strongest brands.
Returning to the center of the story is Dwayne Johnson, once again playing Maui nearly a decade after first voicing the character. Johnson is also serving as a producer on the film and has consistently framed the project as something deeply connected to his own heritage and upbringing.
When the adaptation was first announced, Johnson described the movie as both a celebration of Pacific Islander culture and a chance to revisit characters that resonated strongly with audiences in the animated original. “We are so excited and happy to announce that a live-action reimagining of Moana is in the works,” Johnson previously shared while unveiling the project.
The remake is directed by Thomas Kail, known primarily for his acclaimed work on Hamilton. Although Moana marks Kail’s first feature-length directing effort, Disney appears to be leaning heavily on his experience staging emotionally driven spectacle for large audiences.
Behind the scenes, the screenplay reunites original Moana creative Jared Bush with writer Dana Ledoux Miller. According to Miller, the transition to live action allows the story to approach its emotional moments differently from the animated version.
Music remains another major component of the adaptation. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina are both returning to contribute to the soundtrack, helping preserve the musical identity that made songs from the original film such a defining part of its success.
Disney has also continued emphasizing cultural authenticity throughout production. Johnson has previously described Moana as “my culture — emblematic of our people’s grace, mana, and warrior strength,” while reports surrounding the production indicate filming has taken place across Hawaii and additional Pacific Island locations.
Stepping into the title role is newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia, whose casting marks a major breakout moment for the young performer. Original Moana star Auliʻi Cravalho remains involved behind the scenes as an executive producer rather than reprising the role onscreen. Cravalho previously addressed the importance of representation during the casting process, explaining that “it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.”
Disney’s confidence in Laga‘aia now extends beyond the film itself.
As the company refreshes its branding across its various entertainment divisions, the actress has become one of the most visible faces representing Walt Disney Studios. Disney’s updated promotional imagery prominently features Laga‘aia alongside several of the corporation’s largest franchises and characters, including Nick and Judy from Zootopia for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Din Djarin and Grogu from Lucasfilm’s Star Wars universe, Doctor Doom portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. for Marvel Studios, Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada series for 20th Century Studios, Woody from Toy Story for Pixar, and Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich from Searchlight Pictures’ Wild Horse Nine (2026).
That positioning signals how important Disney believes Moana could become moving forward, even as audience reaction to early trailer footage has remained somewhat divided online. The supporting cast also continues Disney’s focus on Pacific Islander representation, with John Tui playing Chief Tui, Frankie Adams portraying Sina, and Rena Owen taking on the role of Gramma Tala.
Narratively, the film is expected to follow the broad structure established in the animated original, with Moana setting sail across the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island community. However, the live-action adaptation is reportedly placing greater emphasis on practical filmmaking, expansive ocean cinematography, and performance-driven storytelling.
Dana Ledoux Miller has indicated that while many of the familiar story elements remain intact, the presentation will create a distinctly different viewing experience from the animated film.
The question now facing Disney is whether Moana can succeed where Snow White faltered. As the studio continues revisiting animated classics through live-action filmmaking, Moana has quickly become more than another remake. It now represents Disney’s next major test in determining whether audiences are still eager to return to these stories on the big screen.
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