Disney's live-action Moana sets Hawaii and Georgia shoot

Disney has set an October, 2023 shoot in Hawaii and Georgia for their live-action reimagining of 2016's animated musical Moana.

According to Reel News Hawaii on Twitter, the digital media outlet shared a filming update for followers on their social media pages. 

"Moana update for ya. Seems Disney is fast tracking this one with filming tentatively slated to start some time in October & taking place in Hawaii & Georgia. Rumor is Arnold Schwarzenegger is playing Maui...... kidding, that's a Joke. The Rock is definitely reprising the role," said the tweet. 

Johnson announced the news on April 5 in a pre-recorded video statement filmed on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu, as part of Disney's annual shareholder meeting held three days earlier. 

Johnson will produce the live-action remake alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions, as well as Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. Executive producers will include original Moana voice actor Auli’i Cravalho, as well as Flynn Picture Co's Scott Sheldon.

The original film’s screenwriter Jared Bush - whose credits also include Encanto and Zootopia - and Samoan industry savant Dana Ledoux Miller, will also partake in the production in an unconfirmed capacity. 

In a statement at the time, Johnson, who is returning to the fictional island of Motunui 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.

He added: “I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavour, 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."