Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui in Disney’s long-awaited live-action adaptation of Moana, arriving in theaters today. The film is directed by Thomas Kail in his feature directorial debut and stars Catherine Laga’aia as the title character in her film debut.

Box office projections peg the film for an $85 million North American opening weekend, signaling strong audience appetite for live-action Disney remakes. The film comes from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, with songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda among the producers.

Cast and Crew

Beyond Johnson and Laga’aia, the cast includes John Tui as Moana’s father, Frankie Adams as her mother, and Rena Owen as her Gramma Tala. The film was produced by Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Kail brings experience from his Broadway work, including Hamilton, to bear on the musical fantasy adventure. The choice to cast unknown talent alongside Johnson signals Disney’s confidence in the material and its willingness to elevate fresh voices.

What Sets This Apart

The live-action remake arrives six years after the 2016 animated film, banking on nostalgia from the original while introducing the story to new audiences. Early reviews have proven surprisingly positive, suggesting Disney nailed the live-action formula after mixed results with previous attempts.

The $85 million projection would make Moana one of the stronger live-action Disney openings, competing for family audiences during the summer blockbuster season.

Moana opens today in theaters across North America.