Moana’s story is set to come to life and no one is more excited than Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Global (7 April, 2023) — We’re in our inner child era, so any announcement of a live-action Disney favourite will be met with pure excitement. The latest addition? Moana.
This week, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson shared that the 2016 film is set to be reimagined, with Johnson himself sitting in the producer’s seat.
In an emotive telling, Johnson shared why the power of stories like that of Moana holds importance for him and Polynesian people.
“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.” — Dwayne Johnson
Moana’s footing as a Disney princess was a turn in the tide for mainstream story-telling. As Auli‘i Cravalho, the native Hawaaiin actress who gave Moana her voice shared:
“She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses.”
Beyond representation, it also told the story of a different kind of princess, one focused on saving her community and one who was focused on a different kind of love.
Meanwhile, we’re waiting at the edge of our seats for another live-action breaking barriers. The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey from ‘grownish’ is set for release on the 26 May this year.
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