Film Music Reporter

Disney announced today that Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights, Encanto) will serve as a producer on the studio’s upcoming live-action remake of the 2016 animated feature Moana. The movie will be directed by Thomas Kail (Fosse/Verdon, We Were the Lucky Ones) and star Catherine Laga‘aia in the title role of the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role of demigod Maui and is joined by new cast members John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as her mother, Sina, as well as Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Johnson is also producing the project with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. No word yet on whether Miranda (who is not involved in the studio’s animated sequel Moana 2) will also contribute new original songs to the remake and if Mark Mancina are returning to score the film. Moana is scheduled to be released on July 10, 2026 by Walt Disney Pictures.