While it may seem unnecessary, Disney’s Live-Action Moana is a great career move for Dwayne Johnson, who could use a win right about now.
Disney has officially announced a live-action adaptation of its hit 2016 movie Moana is in the works. Alongside this announcement was the confirmation that Dwayne Johnson is set to reprise the role of Maui, the charismatic demigod. And while the news came as a shock to many, it’s a conceptually great move for Johnson’s career.
Disney’s live-action adaptations have been numerous, and many of them have been massive successes. Films such as The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King have all received live-action treatment, and Disney has seen considerable financial gain from this practice. And now, with the announcement of Moana being the latest beloved Disney film receiving an adaptation, it’s not hard to see why Johnson chose to be a major driving force behind this project.
Dwayne Johnson Is Perfect for Live-Action Maui
While Disney fans’ reactions to live-action Moana haven’t been ecstatic, this remake could benefit the former Fast & Furious star for several reasons. For starters, Johnson is simply the perfect casting for Maui. Both in animation and in live-action, Johnson possesses every quality of Maui. Between his physical presence, comedic sensibilities and undeniable charm, Johnson is more than suited to play Maui in animation and live-action.
A Moana Remake Is a Guaranteed Hit for Dwayne Johnson and Disney
Considering the impressive track record for Disney’s live-action adaptations, it’s safe to predict that Moana will be a major box office hit, and it comes at a time in Johnson’s career when he may be in need of it. With the recent critical and financial disappointment of Johnson’s DC movie, Black Adam, along with his infamous exit from the Fast & Furious franchise, the actor’s career is in a state of flux, and going back to one of the biggest successes of his career is an understandable move to make. And this new telling of Moana is a clever way for both Johnson and Disney to benefit.
Johnson also has a solid track record with Disney in animation and live-action. The original Moana film was a substantial hit, hauling in a large sum of $652 million worldwide. On the live-action side, 2021’s Jungle Cruise — while not a massive success — did decent business, drawing in $220 million worldwide and receiving positive reviews from critics. Johnson’s success with Disney is not something to be overlooked going into this retelling of Moana.
Live-Action Moana Is a Beautiful Opportunity for Representation
While the financial incentives for the live-action Moana are clear, this is not the only strong motive to remake the popular Disney film. The original Moana was an absolutely wonderful showcase of Pacific Islander culture and the myths surrounding it, and bringing this kind of representation to a live-action movie is an exciting prospect. Johnson’s love and appreciation for his heritage are clearly a definite driving factor of this project. And despite it seeming like an unnecessary adaptation, it’s shaping up to be a major win for all involved.
