The 2016 animated film Moana has become something of a modern classic. Star Dwayne Johnson certainly thinks so, as he and Disney’s massive studio have just announced plans for a live-action remake. Of course, such a film seems to be happening a little too soon for some fans, and now Dwayne Johnson and Disney are being criticized for their live-action Moana plans.
Dwayne Johnson played Maui in the 2016 iteration of Moana. His character is a demigod that helps the titular character throughout the beloved film. As such, Johnson, aka The Rock, was chosen to announce the project as you can see below. The actor shared a Twitter video with the following statement:
“We are so excited and happy to announce that a live-action reimagining of Moana is in the works.”
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
Though, as mentioned, fans aren’t so happy. Despite the 17,000 likes that the video has received as of this writing, there are plenty of complaints. Here are some of the following posts that users have made to criticize Disney’s decision for a live-action Moana film:
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
I’m happy people are excited for this but it just rubs me the wrong way. Moana is one of the best animated disney films maybe ever and is a great example as to why animation is so unique and special for storytelling. These remakes feel very cynical and greedy and I don’t like it. https://t.co/SKH9T88LQL
— Dawson (@_KnightDawson) April 3, 2023
I love Moana…but why? I’m no longer seeing the reason for live action remakes anymore? I’m genuinely trying to understand the purpose when the animated film is only 7 years old https://t.co/qmZekeO0on
— Madre 🫄🏻🌿 (@YesiSketch) April 3, 2023
These have become the cinematic equivalent of a highway wreck for me. Something you can’t help but slow down and watch to assess the damage. So it’s so weird to hear anyone say “I’m proud to announce that I’m going to crash this beautiful car.” https://t.co/nfpjbN9mND
— Brandon Jones (@TrailerJones) April 3, 2023
DWAYNE SHUT IT DOWN !!! THE ORIGINAL IS PERFECT AS IT IS!!! THIS WILL NOT MAKE UP FOR THE FAILED BLACK ADAM CINEMATIC UNIVERSE !!! https://t.co/yY8daP9yNI pic.twitter.com/T0t7L02Gsi
— Matt Murdock (@ZeroYear97) April 3, 2023
This is so fucking stupid. Dwayne Johnson you’re a sick evil man. Making a live action movie of an animated movie that dropped less than 7 years ago. https://t.co/eK93rZJbsw
— Yousef x2 (@yalozai022) April 3, 2023
Sigh. Can we stop with the live action remakes please. I just feel its not right to ride off the backs of the artists who worked on the original animated movie and remake it with a dare I say WEAKER medium https://t.co/fVQM4nwkyY
— Sammi | Comms OPEN!! (@sammilimyy) April 4, 2023
Looks like they are not done squeezing everything $$ they can get from our culture while dehumanizing Oceanic peoples. Kanaka Maoli make up 50% of the unhoused & incarcerated in Hawai’i. The people of Micronesia are watching their islands slowly disappear due to rising oceans. https://t.co/N6Qg9ngVDG pic.twitter.com/BxDfcvxdnS
— Healani Sonoda-Pale (@KaLahuiHawaii) April 4, 2023
Dwayne man can you just please let go of your ego for one goddamn second and stop taking over franchises https://t.co/IOctRD9AvA pic.twitter.com/kvD75ojxBa
— Dani von B 🎅🏽🐝 (@daboidani95) April 3, 2023
There were also positive reactions to the news:
I’m ecstatic for this! One of my favorite movies of all time is MOANA. https://t.co/rVaVlp9Ef2
— J.P. Cisco (@jcisco1) April 5, 2023
Me and my niece will be sitting front row https://t.co/NFSAAyt40v
— THE ABBOTT (@bymikey1) April 5, 2023
the hierarchy of power at disney live action remakes is about change https://t.co/KWuxUo8zbx
— joozeen 🎈 (@juxynsghost) April 4, 2023
OH MY GOD WE ARE GETTING A LIVE ACTION MOVIE OF MOANA AHHHHHH. I’M SO EXCITED FOR THIS MOVIE. I LITERALLY CAN’T WAIT. SCREAMING, CRYING & THROWING UP https://t.co/kC5dbZJpfU
— Rebecca 🦋|SEEING ED SHEERAN (@ITSMEBECCALAUDI) April 3, 2023
Um what? I will be there on opening day to see this movie. I love the movie Moana so much. https://t.co/u0KRKaGkec
— Tim Jarrell of PWUnlimited (@TimmyBuddy) April 3, 2023
All these folks are complaining that it’s too soon. But I think it’s cool that they’re doing this while the Rock is still young enough to play the part himself. And it’s more Polynesian representation on screen. https://t.co/1xli9KWLbV
— Lisa Bee (@leebee4life) April 3, 2023
It seems likely that with Dwayne Johnson’s announcement, he’ll presumably reprise his role as Maui for the film. Additionally, it seems safe to say that certain songs from Moana will be reused for the new iteration. Of course, the criticisms from fans do seem valid, given how quickly Disney is putting this project together. It’s unlikely that the complaints will have any actual impact on their work, however, so we’ll have to see what happens on that front.
Disney has been making a great effort to remake many of their classic animated films as live-action blockbusters. This includes the likes of the upcoming film The Little Mermaid and The Lion King from several years ago. Of course, even those films are being met with backlash, with some fans unable to understand the purpose in remaking them. And, in their defense, that point does seem a little more valid when remaking a film that’s not even a decade old. But who knows? Perhaps Disney will convince fans that there is a purpose for their live-action remake plans.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for additional updates regarding Disney’s upcoming projects – including the Moana remake – as we have them.