#FIRSTLOOK: NEW LIVE-ACTION “MOANA” IN DEVELOPMENT

Dwayne Johnson revealed today in a recorded message from Hawaii that a live-action reimagining of Disney Animation’s 2016 hit feature film “Moana” is in development. The announcement was shared by Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger during The Walt Disney Company’s Meeting of Shareholders Webcast.

The new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Executive producers include Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Scott Sheldon of Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush and Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production. Bush, who was a director and co-writer of Disney’s Oscar®-winning feature “Encanto” and a writer and co-director on Disney’s Oscar®-winning film “Zootopia,” wrote the screenplay for 2016’s “Moana.”

Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.

Johnson, who plans to return to the fictional world to set sail with Moana, said, “I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honour the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.”

Native Hawaiian actor Cravalho, who helped shape Moana in the original film, said the beloved protagonist’s reach is sweeping. “She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho said. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”

Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production (Disney Live Action), said the film would join a successful lineup of live-action adaptations that include 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast,” 2019’s “Aladdin” and the highly anticipated live-action version of “The Little Mermaid,” opening May 26. “It’s still early, but the idea of working with these fantastic partners to tell such a meaningful story on a live-action canvas, particularly as we celebrate 100 years of storytelling at Disney, is thrilling,” said Bailey.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” debuted in theatres on Nov. 23, 2016, grossing nearly $644 million in global box office. The title, which debuted on Disney+ with the streamer’s 2019 launch, is among the top 15 movies streamed in the United States in 2022. The film’s soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, was lauded worldwide. Miranda won a GRAMMY® for best song written for visual media (“How Far I’ll Go”), and an Oscar® nomination for best achievement in music written for motion pictures – original song (“How Far I’ll Go”). In 2021, the “Moana” soundtrack broke a Billboard Soundtrack chart record for the amount of time spent at number one (52 weeks). Additionally, the film was nominated for an Academy Award (best animated feature film of the year), a BAFTA (best animated feature film) and a pair of Golden Globes® (best motion picture – animated and best original song (“How Far I’ll Go”)).

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “DARBY AND THE DEAD”

DARBY AND THE DEAD arrives next month on Disney+. Here’s a first look at the Trailer for this Supernatural Teen Comedy.

Synopsis:

After suffering a near-death experience as a young girl, Darby Harper (Riele Downs) gains the ability to see dead people. As a result, she becomes introverted and shut off from her high school peers and prefers to spend time counseling lonely spirits who have unfinished business on earth. But all that changes when Capri (Auli’i Cravalho), the Queen Bee of the school’s most exclusive clique, unexpectedly dies in a freak hair straightening accident, resulting in the obvious cancellation of her upcoming “Sweet 17.” Capri, however, pleads with Darby from the other side to intervene and convince Capri’s friends to proceed with the party as planned. In order to appease the wrath of the undead diva, Darby must emerge from her self-imposed exile and reinvent herself — which along the way allows her to find new joy back in the land of the living.“Darby and the Dead” stars Riele Downs, Auli’i Cravalho, Chosen Jacobs, Asher Angel, Wayne Knight, with Derek Luke and Tony Danza, and is directed by Silas Howard. The screenplay is by Becca Greene, based on a story by Wenonah Wilms, and the producers are Adam Saunders and Eddie Rubin, with Michele Weisler and Mac Hendrickson serving as executive producers. 

DARBY AND THE DEAD arrives December 2, 2022 on Disney+.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “ALL TOGETHER NOW”

You loved Auli’i Cravalho in Moana, now she’s back in Netflix‘s ALL TOGETHER NOW! Carol Burnett also stars!

Synopsis: Amber Appleton (Auli’i Cravalho) remains an optimist even when her personal life is far less stable than it appears on the surface. A musically gifted high school student with aspirations to attend Carnegie Mellon, Amber balances her beloved high school drama club helmed by Mr. Franks (Fred Armisen) with working long hours at a donut shop to help support herself and her down-on-her-luck single mom (Justina Machado). She also spends time at the local retirement community, giving care and attention to her favorite pessimistic resident (Carol Burnett). When new obstacles present themselves that threaten her dreams, Amber must learn to lean on the strength of her chosen family to move forward. Directed by Brett Haley (All The Bright Places, Hearts Beat Loud) and based on Matthew Quick’s novel “Sorta Like a Rock Star,” ALL TOGETHER NOW is a story of finding hope in the darkest of times. The film co-stars Rhenzy Feliz, Judy Reyes, Taylor Richardson, C.S. Lee, Anthony Jacques Jr., and Gerald Isaac Waters.

See the Trailer:

ALL TOGETHER NOW streams on Netflix Friday, August 28, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A “MOANA” BLU-RAY COMBO PACK

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to win a MOANA Blu-ray Combo Pack!

 

Synopsis:
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” the sweeping story of a spirited teenager who sets sail on a daring adventure to save her people, starring newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of brave and tenacious Moana and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”) as the larger-than-life demigod Maui, has dazzled both critics and audiences. The film earned a 95% critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes.

Trailer:

 

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Canadian Readers only please.

MOANA sets a new course, arriving to homes on Digital HD/3D on February 21, 2017 and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on March 7, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

©2016 Disney

#SPOTTED: AULI’I CRAVALHO IN TORONTO FOR “MOANA”

Right in time for her 16th birthday, Hawaiian-born singer/actress Auli’i Cravalho is in Toronto today to promote her debut Feature, Disney’s Moana.  The lovely burgeoning star was handpicked by the studio after a rigorous audition process which saw her last to audition and first to be chosen out of hundreds of young Polynesian women.

Her first name pronounced “Ow-Lee-Ee“, Cravalho endured the wind and cold to make stops around the morning circuit here including CITY‘s Breakfast Television and a taping of Entertainment CITY. In addition, she appeared on CP24 Breakfast and Global‘s The Morning Show after meeting with Press all day yesterday.

We met the star herself this morning, flower adorning her hair, and full of charm. She loved Billy!

See our Snap:

With the lovely star of Disney’s #MOANA, #AuliiCravalho, in Toronto today. Expect Box Office domination for this U.S. Thanksgiving animated adventure!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 22, 2016 at 5:41am PST

 

Industry numbers are projecting approximately $75 million for the title across North America, over the U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday. The Animated Feature is about a young girl (Cravalho) and her journey with Demigod Maui (recent PEOPLE Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive honouree Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) to becoming a master wayfinder. Along the way, she fulfills an ancient quest for her ancestors.  A true show of confidence from the “House of the Mouse” in its product is that it has topped its competitiors in spending on TV advertising up through this past Sunday according to Variety.

 

See the Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release MOANA Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)