Entertainment Movies Children & Family Movies Dwayne Johnson Breaks Into 'You're Welcome' from Moana as He Reveals He's Shooting Live-Action Remake Next The actor previously announced that the live-action reimagining of the 2016 Disney animated film will hit theaters on June 27, 2025 By Alexis Jones Alexis Jones Alexis Jones is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on Daily Bruin. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 14, 2023 09:49PM EST Dwayne Johnson confirms he is filming the live-action adapation of "Moana.". Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection, Getty Images What can Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson say except, “You’re welcome!” On Monday, the actor, 51, confirmed he will soon embark on production for the live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film Moana. “My next project that I will be shooting is a live-action version of Moana,” he revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “You’re real life Maui!” host Jimmy Fallon exclaimed at the fact that Johnson will be reprising his role as the shapeshifting demigod. “I am the real life Maui. Thank you guys very much. I’m so excited about this,” added Johnson. Dwayne Johnson Teases His Performance as Maui in 'Moana' Live Action Movie: 'I'll Give It All I Got' The Black Adam star also shared that the “incredible” Hamilton director Thomas Kail will helm the upcoming project, with Lin Manuel-Miranda returning as a songwriter for all the original music featured in the animated version. “I cannot wait. Here's the thing, Jimmy, listen,” Johnson said before he grabbed a mic and broke into song with the lyrics to his character’s hit song “You’re Welcome.” Fallon joined in at the chorus. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The live-action reimagining of Moana was first revealed to be in the works when Johnson announced the upcoming project during Disney’s 2023 shareholder meeting in April. "Deeply humbled to announce we're bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the live action big screen!" Johnson wrote in the caption of his announcement on Instagram. Dwayne Johnson and his character Maui in "Moana.". Amanda Edwards/WireImage; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Auliʻi Cravalho Not Reprising Moana Role in Live-Action Version: 'Honored to Pass This Baton' "This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace, mana and warrior strength," he continued. "I wear our culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me." "We're honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story through the realm of music and dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people,” Johnson added before ending the announcement with a nod to his character’s magical fish hook in an emoji after he quoted the lyrics to “You’re Welcome.” In a video he filmed with his daughters Tiana, 5, and Jasmine, 7, on a Hawaiian beach to announce the project, Johnson promised the return the titular Disney princess plus “Gramma Tala, the music, the dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the village" and "the beautiful, powerful ocean.” Moana (voice: Auli'i Cravalho), Maui (voice: Dwayne Johnson). Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Everett Not long after the announcement, Johnson revealed that the upcoming live remake is slated to release in theaters on June 27, 2025. “Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface. Far beneath in some cases,” he quoted the titular character in a June Instagram post, which featured a photo of a Hawaiian island with the Moana track "Tulou Tagaloa" sung by Olivia Foa'i playing. “It’s my privilege to share our legends, songs, and dance of our Polynesian culture with all of you and your families. Love & mana," the wrestler-turned-actor concluded. Close