Get excited! The House of Mouse announced a new date for the live-action Moana movie. Read the article to learn about this upcoming adaptation of the beloved animated film.
Live-Action Moana: New Release Date
The live-action Moana will premiere on July 10, 2026. Initially, it had to hit theaters on June 27, 2025.
Dwayne Johnson kept all his fans updated from time to time. In his X post, Johnson announced the previous date.
“Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface. Far beneath in some cases” ~ Moana 🌊🩵⁰
Humbled (and excited) to share our official release date for our live action @DisneyStudios MOANA
June 27, 2025It’s my privilege to share our legends, songs and dance of our Polynesian… pic.twitter.com/dB1fbN1yaa
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 13, 2023
Moreover, Johnson made the first announcement of the movie through a video on April 3, 2023. He stated, “I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. 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, 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.”
You can check it out here:
Humbled to say we’re bringing #MOANA’s beautiful story to the live action big screen!#MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I’m honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people🪝 pic.twitter.com/CxJFKQewUS
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 3, 2023
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The Cast of the Upcoming Movie
The creators have yet to announce the cast. There are a few updates regarding the old cast member, Auli’i Cravalho. The renowned actress will not be reprising her role as the main lead. She confirmed the news on May 19, 2023, through a video on Instagram. She stated, “When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career. In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital the casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.”
“So, as an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength. I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent to honor our incredible Pacific people, cultures, and communities that help inspire her story. And I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representations to come. Mahalo.”
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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced to Entertainment Tonight that they had cast a new Moana for the film.
He said, “One of the exciting things about that was finding our Moana and how exciting that has been. The global search to find our Moana, which — between you and I, we found her — not gonna tell you yet… [It’s] very exciting.”
Johnson will reprise his role as Maui. They have yet to disclose the remaining cast members. Thomas Kail, the Tony Award-winning director renowned for his work on Broadway’s “Hamilton,” will direct the movie.
