Moana Director Thomas Kail on Live-Action Remake and Production Challenges
Originally published Jul 10, 2026
By Drew Taylor · TheWrap
AI-generated summary based on TheWrap · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 10, 2026
Key points
- Thomas Kail, known for 'Hamilton,' directed Disney's live-action 'Moana' remake.
- The film faced production delays and strikes, with Kail working on it daily since April 2023.
- Dwayne Johnson reprised his role as Maui, and the movie used extensive visual effects.
Thomas Kail, director of Disney's live-action remake of 'Moana,' discusses the project's development and challenges. Kail, known for his work on 'Hamilton' and 'In the Heights,' made his big-screen debut with this film, which faced production delays and strikes. The movie features Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui and includes extensive visual effects. Kail emphasized the lengthy production process, comparing it to his experience in theater, where projects often take several years to complete. The film wrapped production in November 2024 after shooting in Atlanta and Hawaii.
Read the original story: TheWrap — by Drew Taylor