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Filming on live-action Moana begins this summer

By Matthew Liebl

Tenacious teenager Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) recruits a demigod named Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to help her become a master wayfinder and sail out on a daring mission to save her people. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker, produced by Osnat Shurer, and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Tenacious teenager Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) recruits a demigod named Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to help her become a master wayfinder and sail out on a daring mission to save her people. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker, produced by Osnat Shurer, and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved. /
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Despite the excitement surrounding Moana 2, the animated sequel to the 2016 hit, there's still the live-action remake in the works. Currently in pre-production, it's now reported that filming on the live-action adaptation will begin in June.

Filming will take place in Hawaii and Atlanta and is expected to be completed towards the end of September.

The live-action Moana movie currently has a June 2025 release date, but that was before Disney dropped the bombshell that Moana 2 is due out this Thanksgiving. It's possible that the live-action movie could remain a summer 2025 film, but would Disney risk releasing two Moana films so close together?

There are still some questions surrounding the casting details for the live-action remake of Moana. We know Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is reprising his role as Maui, the Demigod. But we still don't know who will play the titular character, Moana.

Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated movie, has already ruled out returning to the role. However, it was confirmed today that the actress is returning for the animated sequel film.

Tony Award-winning director Thomas Kail has been tapped to helm the live-action adaptation. Kail directed Broadways' hit musical Hamilton and served as director for Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical, In the Heights, for which he scored a Tony for Best Director of a Musical.

Johnson is also producing the film via his production company, Seven Bucks Productions. And while Auli'i Cravalho won't be acting in the film, she will serve as executive producer with Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co.

Released in 2016, Moana grossed nearly $644 million at the global box office. Disney is hoping to capitalize on its success with both this live-action remake and the animated sequel film. We don't quite have plot detials for either one, but it's said that this live-action reimagining "will celebrate the islands, communities, and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path."

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