‘Moana’ Live Action Cast: Will ‘The Rock’ Play as Maui?

Disney's adaptation of a classic Polynesian tale, "Moana," will be adapted into live-action, and wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock, will be returning from his voice-acting role to live-action.

Johnson voiced Polynesian demigod Maui in the original animated film, and Deadline confirmed that he will also be producing the live-action adaptation alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions. Moana voice actor Auli'i Cravalho, as well as Beau Flynn and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co., and original screenwriter Jared Bush and Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller, will be part of the production.

Walt Disney Studios' President of Motion Picture Production Sean Bailey stated that Moana will be the latest Disney animated work to get a live-action film. Previous live-action adaptations include "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," and the upcoming "Little Mermaid," which will premiere in May.

The Rock Confirms Animated Moana Characters Will Return in Live-Action

As for Dwayne Johnson, he appeared in a pre-recorded video to announce the new Disney project. It was shot in Hawaii, which was where Moana was based, with the wrestler-turned-actor having originally lived in the state and is proud of his Polynesian heritage.

According to IGN, The Rock's video was shown during the recent Disney annual shareholders meeting, led by Disney CEO Bob Iger. Johnson said in the video that Moana, Gramma Tala, Te Fiti, Heihei, and Maui, will all be appearing in the live-action. He will be reprising his role as the Polynesian demigod whom the Hawaiian island of Maui was named after, for the live-action.

Johnson also credited the inspiration for Maui's character to his grandfather, WWE Hall of Famer Peter Maivia.

"This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace and warrior strength," said the former WWE Champion in a press release. "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."

What was Moana About?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Moana takes its inspiration mainly from Polynesian mythology as it focuses on a young woman's journey with a demigod to save her land.

In the original animated film's story, Moana disobeys her father, who is the chief of her island, as he is dealing with an impending ecological disaster. She goes off on a quest to reunite a mystical relic with its owner, a goddess named Te Fiti, and stop the disaster. On her way, she frees the demigod Maui, voiced by The Rock, from his prison to help her in her journey.

The original animated feature film grossed almost $644 million worldwide. It also received two Oscar nominations as well as several other accolades after it was released in November 2016. Much like the original, it will celebrate Pacific islander culture, the islands, and its communities and traditions.

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Live-Action Moana Announcement