After voicing demigod Maui in the original film, Johnson will produce the live-action take alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions, as well as Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Exec producers will include original Moana voice actor Auli’i Cravalho, as well as Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. The original film’s screenwriter Jared Bush, also known for his work on the Disney films Encanto and Zootopia, and Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production, though it’s not yet clear in what capacity.
Walt Disney Studios’ President of Motion Picture Production Sean Bailey noted today that Moana joins a roster live-action films based on Disney animated titles that includes the forthcoming Little Mermaid, opening May 26, joining past efforts like 2019’s Aladdin and 2017’s Beauty and the Beast. “It’s still early,” he said, “but the idea of working with these fantastic partners to tell such a meaningful story on a live-action canvas, particularly as we celebrate 100 years of storytelling at Disney, is thrilling.”