HAWAII, USA — In a press release from Walt Disney Studios, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced from the shores of Hawai’i that a live-action adaptation of Disney Animation’s successful 2016 film “Moana” is currently in development.

The new film is being produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Beau Flynn, with Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, and Scott Sheldon serving as executive producers. Jared Bush, known for his work on Disney’s “Encanto” and “Zootopia,” has written the screenplay for the live-action “Moana.”

Similar to the animated film, the live-action adaptation will celebrate the culture, traditions, and communities of Pacific Islanders, as seen through the perspective of a young woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Moana’s story of reflection on her ancestors and her friendship with Maui, a demigod, captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

Johnson, who has a personal connection to the story and culture as a Polynesian, expressed his gratitude and excitement to bring “Moana” to the live-action big screen. Cravalho, who helped shape the character of Moana in the original film, highlighted the impact of Moana as a strong and inspiring protagonist, and looks forward to sharing her story in a new way.

Fans of the original film shared their thoughts about the remake on TikTok. “If Kevin Hart isn’t Hei Hei the Chicken, I don’t want it,” commented @victoria.m.886. Others expressed concern about who may portray Moana. “Awesome! Can we have Auli’I Cravalho play Moana since she was the original singer!” wrote @artilugio_dangernoodle, a common sentiment expressed among others who discussed the issue.

Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, stated that the live-action “Moana” would join the successful lineup of Disney’s live-action adaptations, such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and the upcoming “The Little Mermaid,” and expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to tell a meaningful story on a live-action canvas during Disney’s 100th year of storytelling.

The original animated “Moana,” released in 2016, earned nearly $644 million at the global box office and has been streamed extensively on Disney+. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, received worldwide acclaim and awards recognition. The “Moana” soundtrack broke a Billboard Soundtrack chart record in 2021, and the film was nominated for an Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globes for its animation and original song.