Dwayne Johnson, Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’ announcement draws backlash: ‘Too soon’

Dwayne Johnson has announced he’s teaming up with Disney to bring a beloved animation to life, but the news hasn’t gone down well with fans.

Dwayne Johnson announced Disney would be doing a live-action of Moana.

Dwayne Johnson announced today that he will be producing and starring in a live-action remake of the animated Disney hit Moana.

The Hollywood blockbuster star is set to reprise his role as the shapeshifting demigod, Maui, in the latest Disney hit to be brought to life.

Unfortunately, the news wasn’t well received online, with many calling the remake “disrespectful” to the movie’s original medium.

The 2016 movie features the popular songs How Far I’ll Go and You’re Welcome – the first of which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.

Humbled to say we’re bringing #MOANA’s beautiful story to the live action big screen!#MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I’m honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people🪝 pic.twitter.com/CxJFKQewUS

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 3, 2023

Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the title character, is also returning to produce.

Disney teased that the remake “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,” much like its predecessor.

In a statement, Johnson said, “I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen.”

Dwayne Johnson has announced Disney is doing a live-action of Moana.

Moana was released in 2016.

He continued, “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.”

Johnson also thanked Disney for uplifting “the story of our people”.

Cravalho, also enthused about the new project, added that Moana “has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses.”

She continued to praise the character’s “strength and perseverance,” and said, “I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”

However, that excitement didn’t translate to the online crowds, many of whom are complaining that the remake is “definitely too soon,” given that the original movie just came out in 2016.

Moana was one of Disney’s most popular animated releases in recent years. Picture: Disney

Because of this, some online commentators are claiming that Disney is out of original ideas or has little respect for the animation genre – a conversation that has been stemming for decades, just look at Guillermo del Toro’s constant “animation is cinema” reminders.

“We haven’t even had time to feel nostalgic for the first to justify a live-action remake. This just illustrates how seriously few new ideas they’re willing to take a chance on,” wrote one user.

Another chimed in with, “Ok I love Moana, a lot. It’s legit one of my favourites, but really? This seems too soon. Especially since all the voices could be in the live-action, which would be great, but why!?”

It’s pretty depressing that animation is literally the reason Disney even exists yet they contribute to its disrespect at every given opportunity

Moana came out in 2016. It’s not even a decade old yet. A live action remake isn’t just disrespectful, it’s pointless https://t.co/eWBV0sOvLf

— Okiro (@TheFirstOkiro) April 3, 2023

A third joked, “Moana means we’re almost at the point where they’ve done live remakes of everything now. The nightmare is almost over.”

On the other side, there are people who understand the decision, from an industry standpoint. Film reporter Scott Mendelson wrote, “This makes sense, as far as these things go, as Moana has been consistently huge on Disney+ since the streaming platform launched in November of 2019.”

In addition to Johnson and Cravalho, the live-action movie is produced by Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Beau Flynn. Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the 2016 movie, will also be involved, along with Samoan producer and writer Dana Ledoux Miller.

Within the last decade, Disney has recently released live-action remakes of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan and Cruella – the latter of which has a sequel on the way.

There is no additional casting information or release date set for the Moana remake.

This article originally appeared on Decider and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Dwayne Johnson, Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’ announcement draws backlash: ‘Too soon’