The turnaround for Disney live-action remakes of animated films is getting smaller and smaller.
Disney has announced that the latest film to receive this treatment is none other than 2016’s Vaiana. Yes, Vaianawhich came out the same year as Zootopia, which, yes, was seven years ago. The studio announced the news during a shareholder meeting. A video featuring Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the Polynesian demigod Maui in the film, officially shared the news with the public.
Johnson will serve as one of the executive producers for the film, with his production company Seven Bucks Productions. Additionally, Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original film, will also executive produce.
“This story is my culture and this story is a symbol of the grace and warrior strength of our people,” Johnson says in the video. “I wear this culture with pride on my skin and in my soul, and this unique opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, Chief Peter Maivia, is one that is running very well. deep for me.”
Inspired by Polynesian mythology, Vaiana told the story of a fearless girl who sets out to save her village from a mad volcano god. The film featured music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and was nominated for Best Animated Feature (losing to fellow Disney film Zootopia). a Vaiana The Disney Plus show was announced in 2020 for a 2023 debut, but news about that series has been sparse.
With the news, the Disney live-action remake roster continues to expand. Last week, the studio announced a hybrid live-action adaptation of The Aristocats, directed by Questlove. The remake is coming next month The little Mermaid with Halle Bailey as Ariel in the cinema, with a remake of Peter Pan reach Disney Plus later in April. There are also projects for that Lilo and Stitch, Hercules, Bambi, Snow White, The hunchback of the Notre Dameand more in the making. Vaianahowever, marks the fastest turnaround from animation to live action project.
The live action Vaiana is still in its early stages. It is unclear whether Johnson and Cravalho will reprise their roles.