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Last month, Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson announced that he is working on a live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney filmMoanawith the studio. The action adventure features the wrestler-turned-actor as the demigod Maui, alongside the titular character Moana, who is destined to restore Te Fiti’s heart. While the film did pretty great commercially and critically, the decision for its live-action adaptation once again raised the question of why Disney is so invested in remaking its already told stories instead of continuing them or introducing new ones.
While it is expected that theJumanjistar could reprise his role from the 2016 film in the live-action adaptation, the same is not the case for the actress who voiced Moana. Auliʻi Cravalho recently revealed in a short video that she would not be reprising her role in the live-action adaptation ofMoana.
Read More:“Maui changed my life”: Dwayne Johnson Returns in $682M ‘Moana’ Live Action Remake
Auliʻi Cravalho Won’t Feature in Dwayne Johnson’sMoanaRemake
The 22-year-old actressAuliʻi Cravalhoshared some discouraging casting updates forDwayne Johnson’slive-action adaptation ofMoana. She was cast to voice the character when she was 14 years old and shared on her Instagram that she would not be reprising her role inMoana’slive-action adaptation.
Cravalho shared that featuring in the 2016 film“changed [her] life”and started her acting career. TheCrushactress further mentioned that she would not reprise her character in the live-action movie. She also said that it is important that the“cast accurately represents the characters”in the story.
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career. In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital [that] the cast accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.”
A post shared by Auli’i Cravalho (@auliicravalho)
Cravalho also mentioned that she would still be associated with the project and even help look for an actress to portray the character with“courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength.”While it is uncertain who will be the next actress to play Moana, fans do not seem enthusiastic about Cravalho leaving the film.
Read More:“Me giving Vin a fking a-whooping all day long”: Dwayne Johnson Promised to Thrash ‘Fast X’ Co-Star Vin Diesel in ‘Fast and Furious’ Showdown
Fans React toMoanaCasting Updates
While it is uncertain who will play Moana in the live-action adaptation of the 2016 film, Dwayne Johnson is believed to reprise his role as Maui. The character is special for the actor as Maui was inspired by his grandfather, who was popularly known as Peter Maivia.
While earlier reports suggested that Auliʻi Cravalho would also reprise her character, the actress has denied such claims in the short video she shared on her Instagram. And fans do not seem too happy with the fact that Johnson gets to reprise his character, whileThe Poweractress doesn’t.
While some praised that the live-action adaptation would feature a cast accurately representing the character, others seem disappointed. Fans shared that they hope that theJungle Cruiseactor is the next to leave the cast as he“does not resemble Maui in the slightest.”
She doesn’t get to play Moana, but The Rock gets to come back?pic.twitter.com/amKJrxrUiv
— RJ (@ResonantJustice)June 11, 2025
I hope The Rock is next 🤷♀️ he does not resemble Maui in the slightest
— Lex🩸 (@xtinalexah)August 15, 2025
“casting accurately represents " … like Ariel 🤨🤨
— satoo yamagata 🚜🗻 (@SatooYamagata)July 28, 2025
My guess it’s an age thing? Idk
— Trey Wessel (@WesselTrey)June 20, 2025
Trying to picture the rock with long curly hair this movie is going to be bad. Not everything has to be adapted to live action lol
— 🇺🇸Andres🇨🇴 (@NaughtySnuggles)June 02, 2025
I also think the Rock should let someone else do the demi God. He’s a little old now. I think he can find a younger big Samoan actor who would be great for the role
— TheBackHandofTruth🇺🇸 (@backhandoftruth)June 25, 2025
The news has received mixed reactions as some claim that if Halle Bailey could portray Ariel inThe Little Mermaid, Cravalho could also be cast as Moana in the live-action adaptation. Others argued that she was right to leave the role, as she is now too old to portray the character in live action.
Read More:“She’s suing the country and half of Hollywood WTF”: Fans Stunned With The Rock’s $3B Kidnapping Lawsuit, Disney Reportedly Boycotting Him
Source:Discussing Films
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3450
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
