Dwayne Johnson is all set to commence filming for Disney’s live-action take on the hit animated flick, Moana (2016).
In his recent interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Johnson confirmed that his next project would be Moana’s live-action version. Now that the SAG-AFTRA strike is over, the actor does not have to worry about the rules and regulations associated with the strike. And he needs the upcoming Disney project more than ever.
All of Johnson’s movies that arrived after the COVID-19 pandemic struggled at the global box office. His biggest disappointment came in the form of Black Adam (2022). His latest appearance was in Fast X, which earned over $700 million globally. However, he had a very small cameo in the film. DC League of Super-Pets was received positively by both critics and viewers, but it failed to make an impression at the box office, earning only $207 million worldwide.
The original Moana flick was not as sensational as Frozen movies in terms of collections. However, it still impressed many people and shattered numerous records, grossing over $682 million on a global level. Considering its immense commercial and critical success, it is no surprise that Disney is looking to give it a live-action treatment.
Maui is a highly entertaining character. Seeing him in his live-action avatar would be amazing. And Dwayne Johnson is the perfect man to portray Maui.
From Disney’s perspective, Moana’s live-action version could benefit them immensely as well. The studio’s recent live-action projects, including The Little Mermaid, have failed to perform strongly. This is where Dwayne Johnson’s live-action Moana can step in and, ultimately, save the studio. Stay tuned for more updates.