As a devoted fan of animated films and someone who grew up watching Disney classics, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and disappointment with the announcement of a live-action adaptation of Moana, released only eight years after its initial release. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for reimagining beloved stories in new ways, but this feels like an unnecessary move.
In just eight short years, Disney has given the animated musical and action film a live-action makeover, following the same path as movies like Aladdin and The Lion King.
Let’s dive right into it and take a closer look at the announcement on YouTube, shall we?
Vaiana (Live Action) | Announcement Trailer & Criticism
In the trailer for this announcement, it was revealed that Disney is not just producing a sequel to Moana (Vaiana 2), but also developing a live-action adaptation of the 2016 animated film. For those unfamiliar with the storyline, here’s a brief recap:
The live-action film follows the storyline of the initial animation, but it’s important to note that they will share the same fundamental plot.
The news of a live-action Vaiana was sadly not well-received.
“Every year that passes by, Hollywood’s reputation sinks further.”
Based on my experience working in the entertainment industry for several years, I can confidently say that it’s rarely about what the audience truly wants when it comes to studio decisions. Instead, it’s more about shaping the audience’s preferences to align with the studio’s goals and interests. This can be a disheartening realization for creatives who pour their hearts into projects, hoping to cater to the tastes of their fans. However, understanding this dynamic is crucial in navigating the industry and advocating for authentic storytelling.
I find it hard to believe that a new live-action adaptation is in development, while classics like “Princess and Frog” are still waiting for their turn.
Those were just some comments beneath the announcement video…
There are rumors that Dwayne Johnson was determined to bring the live-action film to life, possibly due to the financial flop of “Black Adam” and the termination of DC projects he intended to join.
As someone who grew up watching animated classics like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King during my childhood, I have to admit that the idea of a live-action movie for a film that was only released eight years ago feels a bit off to me. The nostalgia factor just isn’t as strong with more recent productions.
Vaiana (Live-Action) | Confirmed Cast
Despite this, the live-action film is set to go ahead as planned. Notably, Dwayne Johnson has been cast as the character Maui, the demigod. In fact, he provided the voice for Maui in the earlier animated adaptation.
Auli’i Cravalho, the actress behind the voice of Moana in the animated film, won’t be portraying the character herself in the upcoming live-action version. Instead, she’ll take on a new role as an executive producer for the production.
Dwayne made it official on Instagram that Catherine Laga’aia is set to star as Vaiana in the upcoming film. In this production, John Tui will bring Chief Tui to life on screen. Frankie Adams, known for her role in “The Expanse,” has been cast as Vaiana’s mother. Lastly, Rena Owen from “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” joins the team as Vaiana’s grandmother.
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Vaiana (Live-Action) | Release Window
At first, Disney intended to debut the live-action Moana film in June 2025. Additionally, they aimed to unveil Moana 2 on November 27, 2024. However, they subsequently changed their plans and opted to move the release date to July 10, 2026.
These are all the deets we know about the upcoming live-action movie for Vaiana.
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2024-07-15 14:09