"Moana" Is Getting A Reimagined Live-Action Remake, But The Best News Is That Dwayne Johnson Will Be Back As Maui

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For the last decade-plus, Disney has been adapting a lot of its classic animated movies into live-action films.

Beauty and the Beast dancing in the live-action films
Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

And whether or not you like the live-action remakes, you can't deny there's a market for them, as they have been box office hits.

Will Smith as Genie pointing at Mena Massoud as Aladdin
Courtesy Of Disney / ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

Well earlier today, during the Walt Disney Company’s shareholders meeting, CEO Bob Iger announced that the studio is in the early phases of making a live-action reimagining of its hit movie Moana.

The animated Moana
Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

And Iger didn't just casually announce it. He actually had Dwayne Johnson (who, of course, voiced Maui in the original film and will serve as executive producer on the remake) reveal it in a video on the beach in O‘ahu, Hawaii, along with his daughters.

Oh, and yes, Dwayne will be back to play Maui!!!

Moana and Maui
Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Dwayne went on to say how much the film means to him, because the character of Maui was based a lot on his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.

  Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

He then added, "How deep this story is for me, because in a way, when I bring Maui to life, I'm doing it in the spirit of my grandfather."

A close-up of Dwayne speaking on the beach

It wasn't revealed whether Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana, would be back to reprise her role. However, she will serve as an executive producer on it and posted this on her Instagram about it: "… this one has been whispered about for years! ✨ Moana has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses. Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life. ❤️🙏🏼 I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way. Eō #Moana!! 🌀"

A close-up of Auli'i Cravalho smile
Michael Tran / FilmMagic

And in case you're wondering, Pua and Hei Hei will be in this remake.

  Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

While I am sure the remake is going to be great, a lot of people were left wondering why such a recent movie would get a remake — given that Disney has been doing live-action versions of their older animated films:

Now to be fair, the movie is still in very early development, so I am sure it'll be at least three or four years (if not more) until it hits the big screen. But now I want to know, are you guys excited for this live-action remake, or would you have preferred a sequel? Or are you indifferent to the whole thing? Let us know in the comments below.

  Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection