Disney’s live-action Moana opens July 10 in theaters nationwide. Director Thomas Kail, who won a Tony for Hamilton, brings the Polynesian island adventure to life with Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his voice role as the demigod Maui.

The animated Moana grossed $643 million globally in 2016. The live-action version aims higher. Disney’s recent animated-to-live remakes (The Lion King, Aladdin) have crossed the $1 billion threshold. Moana starts with name recognition and Johnson’s star power.

The Cast and Creative Team

Catherine Laga’aia is a fresh face playing Moana. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui but performs the role live this time. Rena Owen plays Gramma Tala, John Tui is Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams plays Sina. The music comes from Mark Mancina, who scored the original, with songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda returning.

Thomas Kail directed Hamilton on stage and screen. His sensibility—bright, energetic, full of character—matches Disney’s vision for the remake. The production team includes Dwayne Johnson himself as a producer.

What Changed from Animation to Live-Action

Moana is a coming-of-age story about answering a call. The live-action version frames it as a journey across the ocean to restore prosperity to a struggling island. The music stays. The mythology stays. But the emotional stakes are heightened through real faces and real performances.

Opening Weekend Reality

July 10 puts Moana against Toy Story 5 in its second weekend and The Odyssey in its opening frame. Disney is confident enough to release on a Friday during peak summer competition. The company expects families and nostalgia-driven adults to show up.

Live-action remakes are calculated risks. If casting and direction work, audiences reward them at the box office.