Live-Action Moana Remake Unveils Cast Details and Maui's New Look

Disney's animated musical sensation “Moana” is being reimagined for the big screen as a live-action remake, set to open in theaters on July 10. The film is helmed by director Thomas Kail, renowned for his work on Broadway hits like “Hamilton” and “In The Heights,” both created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who himself composed the soundtrack for the original 2016 “Moana” while still involved with “Hamilton.” Kail fondly recalls Miranda's dedication, often hearing him compose “Moana” tunes during his downtime and even recruiting cast members like Phillipa Soo to record song demos.

Kail's involvement with the live-action “Moana” stems from his thematic alignment with the film's core message: discovering one's place within a community and embracing one's unique identity. These themes resonate deeply with his previous projects, making the collaboration feel like a natural fit. While acknowledging that the studio's exact reasons for selecting him are unknown, Kail humorously suggests it might have been “really sweet to see Lin and I sitting next to each other again.”

The adaptation process involved a script by Dana Ledoux Miller and Jared Bush. Kail emphasized the importance of trusting the original story and characters, asserting that the existing narrative “is not broken.” Drawing from his theater background, where revivals constantly breathe new life into existing texts, Kail explained that the live-action film is not a mere mirror of the original. Instead, it features entirely different scenes, dialogue, jokes, and sequencing, aiming to leverage the inherent difference of “flesh-and-blood human beings” to create a distinct emotional impact, particularly in intense moments like a 16-year-old facing a storm or a lava monster.

Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, a 19-year-old Australian, stars as the brave titular character, making her film debut. She steps into the role previously voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, embracing Moana's journey to restore prosperity to her island. Dwayne Johnson reprises his iconic role as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, who accompanies Moana on her quest. Johnson's integral role extends to producing the film, solidifying his deep connection to the character.

The cast also includes Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, Moana's grandmother and the Kakamora tribe's storyteller; John Tui as Chief Tui, Moana’s protective father and Motunui’s leader; and Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana’s perceptive mother. Jemaine Clement returns to voice the glitzy king crab Tamatoa, known for his love of all things shiny. Beloved animal sidekicks Pua the pig and Heihei the rooster will also accompany Moana on her journey, brought to life through a mix of real animals and animatronics.

Bringing the film to life involved ambitious undertakings, such as the musical number “Where You Are,” which featured 200 dancers in a meticulously built practical village under 110-degree heat and humidity, resembling a site-specific theater production. Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of Maui, with his “absurdly buff body,” utilized a skin-like bodysuit for practicality, allowing for seamless transitions between water scenes and maintaining the consistent look of Maui’s iconic animated tattoos. The decision to give Maui a wig, which sparked some public reaction, was a deliberate one, rooted in the original film's advisory discussions where Maui's hair was identified as central to his power and spirit.

Kail shared his personal connection to the project, acknowledging the high expectations from parents, including himself, who are familiar with the original animated film. He stated, “You better bring this home for us.” Regarding reviews, Kail maintains a practical approach, preferring to grasp the general sentiment rather than delving into specifics, believing that getting a sense of the conversation is sufficient. He focuses on creating works that reach as many people as possible.

Beyond “Moana,” Kail hopes his “Fiddler on the Roof” adaptation, with a script by Steven Levinson, will find a home, contributing to a resurgence of appetite for musical storytelling. He also reflected on the recent “Hamilton” anniversary, which culminated in a thrilling Tonys medley performance by the original cast, an event he watched from the audience, witnessing “6,000 people explode.”

The film will also feature other crucial characters and antagonists from the original story. The Kakamora are hostile, coconut-armored nomads who patrol the seas, small but dangerous in numbers. Te Kā, the formidable demon of earth and fire, will also pose a significant challenge to Moana, having awakened when Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti, ultimately losing it in the sea and fueling her rage. Moana’s quest involves confronting Te Kā to restore the heart and save her people.