The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Disney's animated film “Moana” is gearing up to offer a significant and entertaining theatrical experience, perfectly timed for the summer season. Director Thomas Kail stated during an online press conference on Monday that the film aims to be a major summer movie.

"There's big laughs, there's big adventure, and we tried to make a big summer movie for you," Kail shared. The story follows a brave young girl, Moana, portrayed by Catherine Laga'aia, who is chosen by the ocean to join forces with the legendary demigod Maui, voiced again by Dwayne Johnson, to rescue her island from a devastating curse.

Kail, known for his Tony Award-winning work on the Broadway musical “Hamilton,” brings his directorial expertise to this project. The casting for the lead role of Moana was reportedly an extensive process, with Laga'ia securing the part after reportedly beating out over 32,000 other hopefuls. Kail recounted being deeply impressed by Laga'aia's audition tape, particularly her rendition of “How Far I'll Go,” noting her voice quality and storytelling ability.

"When I saw the first tape that Katherine submitted, she was singing ‘How Far I'll Go,’ and she did two of the scenes. I just remember this feeling, and it was both in the quality of her voice and also the storytelling. I just thought she understands that feeling of yearning, of being in one place and wanting to be somewhere else."

Laga'aia, whose heritage connects her to the South Pacific setting of the story, expressed the personal significance of playing Moana. She views the character as a powerful representation of Pacific Islander women, admiring her ambition, courage, and curiosity.

"I think that's an ode to the 2016 (animated film) in that they've created such an incredible character that she's so like the real Pacific Islander woman that she was representing. I think getting to grow up with her and getting to see and have that representation so young was definitely part of the reason why I've grown up to be so much like her. I think I really admired her ambition and courage and curiosity."

Dwayne Johnson returns to his role as Maui, a character he voiced in the original 2016 animation. For the live-action adaptation, Johnson aims to imbue the demigod with greater human emotion and vulnerability, honoring his grandfather's legacy of honesty. He also emphasized his role in supporting Laga'aia, highlighting the importance of empowering her as she navigates her first major film role.

"The one thing that I wanted to honor about my grandfather that ... I wanted the live action version to embody, would be his honesty, his vulnerability... Because it's real flesh and blood, and real human beings ... in these scenes, and this is real life, and it's real culture and real people.”

"Maui realized 'You must let this young woman live her life and go after the thing that she is looking to go after, and don't stand in her way, support her and be there for her, and watch your world get better.' Because I feel that way with my own daughters, and by the way, I felt that way when Catherine came on set.”

“Moana” is slated for theatrical release on July 8.

Featured names

• Dwayne Johnson
• Catherine Laga
• Company Korea
• Samoan Islands
• South Pacific
• Pacific Islander