Speaking about the initial fan reaction, Johnson confessed he was tempted to publicly respond to the criticism. "I didn’t ever want to say this because I didn’t want to engage in that way, but I wanted to tell people so badly, ‘As passionate as you are about Moana, so am I,’” he said. He emphasized his deep connection to the project, stating, “I love this. It’s my family, it’s my culture,” and expressed his conviction that the film would succeed.
The Rationale Behind the Remake
Johnson elaborated on the decision to pursue a live-action version, indicating a desire to share a deeper cultural narrative. “I really felt there was an opportunity [here], there’s a vibrancy, and there’s a beauty and a power in our culture that you can feel in the animated version, but you live it in the real life version,” he explained. Director Thomas Kail also defended the remake, suggesting that a live-action format offers a new way to experience the story.
“One of the things that happens when you put this on its feet with real flesh and blood, you have a different reaction to it. By changing the form and making it live action, and having two characters look at each other eye to eye, there’s something else that it stirs up in us.”
Emotional Moments During Production
The filming of the live-action "Moana" reportedly involved heightened emotional experiences for Johnson. He shared that he became teary eyed during a scene depicting the passing of Moana’s grandmother. He also experienced a profound emotional moment when he first saw himself fully in character as Maui, noting that the demigod’s design was based on his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.
“My grandfather, like a lot of Samoan high chiefs had the full Peʻa, which is the tattoos. All of our markings; they mean something to us … so when I saw myself fully, hair and all, that made me emotional. I was looking at my grandfather. What a way to honour him.”
Australian actress Catherine Laga’aia, who makes her Hollywood debut as Moana, described her experience as surreal. She recalled the moment she learned she secured the role, sharing it with her mother.
Disney’s live-action "Moana" is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 8.
Featured names
- Nicole Kidman
- Practical Magic
- Director Thomas
- Catherine Laga
- Peter Maivia
- Melissa George
- Dieter Brummer
- Jessica Mauboy
- Kyle Sandilands
- Miranda Kerr
- Evan Spiegel
