Moana’s live-action director explains what’s different in the new version
Disney announced in 2023 that it would produce a live-action adaptation of its 2016 animated film Moana, moving with surprising speed given the typically longer development cycles for such projects. The live-action remake capitalizes on the billion-dollar nostalgia market established by Tim Burton’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland, which launched Disney’s successful strategy of adapting its animated classics into live-action films.
Director Thomas Kail brings extensive experience with musicals to the project. His acclaimed Broadway work includes Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s cultural phenomenon, and In the Heights, also adapted by Miranda. Kail’s background in stage musicals positions him well to handle the musical elements that are central to the Moana story.
In an interview with Polygon, Kail discussed what sets the live-action version apart from the original animated film, exploring how the new adaptation will leverage different storytelling approaches and visual possibilities unique to live-action filmmaking. The summer release is anticipated to draw audiences familiar with the original while introducing the story to new viewers.