Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson to produce live-action remake of ‘Moana’

The producers of 2016′s ‘Moana’, which grossed almost $644 million at the global box office and was one of the United State’s most-streamed movies of the year, are returning to make a live-action reimagining of the film.

Auli’i Cravalho discusses Moana’s character

Auli’i Cravalho, the voice of the title character, is a Native Hawaiian actor who contributed to developing Moana’s character in the first character. She will be joined by Dwayne Johnson as the star in and produce the feature film.

Cravalho commented on the significance of the character, which the actress and producer helped shape based on her own heritage.

“She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho said. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me, and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”

The live-action reimagining of ‘Moana’ will emphasize the lead character’s cultural background, as it is meant to “celebrate the islands, communities, and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path.”

The live-action reimagining of ‘Moana’

The Walt Disney Company released details on the upcoming live-action reimagining of the film.

“The new film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions,” Disney wrote on their website, “and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Executive producers include Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana, and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller (who is of Samoan heritage) will also take part in the production.”

“Bush, who was a director and co-writer of Disney’s Oscar-winning film ‘Encanto’ and a writer and co-director on Disney’s Oscar-winning ‘Zootopia’, wrote the screenplay for ‘Moana’.”

Dwayne Johnson records announcement from the beach

Even though he is on holiday in Hawaii, Dwayne Johnson is only thinking about one thing — his next live-action project. Johnson made a statement in a recorded message from Hawaii pertaining to the live-action reimagining of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Moana’.

The feature film was a hit in 2016, and according to Johnson, the production is in the developing stages.

Dwayne Johnson’s recorded announcement was released by Disney CEO Bob Iger during The Walt Disney Company’s Meeting of Shareholders Webcast.

“I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen,” Johnson said in the recording. “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,” Johnson continued, “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.”

“I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor because there 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,” he concluded.