Dwayne Johnson has announced who will be directing the live-action adaptation of Moana. Johnson, who voiced Maui in the original animated Moana announced that Thomas Kail will be directing the live-action version of the movie.
Kail is known for directing musicals with Hamilton and In the Heights in his credit list. He also directed FX’s Fosse/Verdon in 2019 and also Grease Live! in 2016. “I’ve been very inspired by Tommy’s spirit, drive, talent, passion and hunger to create something special with MOANA for the world to enjoy,” Johnson said in a post on Instagram.
“He’s ‘the hardest worker in the room’ who’s won multiple Tonys for directing HAMILTON and IN THE HEIGHTS, so he comes to this project with intrinsic reverence for history and culture — edge and vibe — and music and dance,” he continued.
Disney shared in a press release a couple of months ago that the Moana live-action film 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.”
Dwayne Johnson also shared that the re-imagining approach to Moana along with his character Maui was “deeply personal” to him and also his Polynesian heritage. “Our culture is rooted in pride, emotion, expression, storytelling, music & mana,” Johnson said. “MOANA is a one in a lifetime endeavor for us and I’m honored to go shoulder to shoulder with our director Thomas Kail and our entire team.”
“Our ancestors are watching and the ocean will always have a pulse,” he added.
Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia will be co-producing the film via their Seven Bucks Productions, as well as Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Auli’i Cravalho, the actress who voiced Moana in the animated film, will be an executive producer for the film.
What do you think of this choice of Thomas Kail as the director for the live-action Moana? Are you excited about this film? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
