Beloved childhood movies are starting to come to life. From princesses to animals, the real characters in live action are making many people even more excited to watch the story they know, be transported into the real world.
On April 3, Dwayne Johnson, the voice of the character Maui in Disney’s “Moana,” announced that the 2016 Disney movie is in the process of being adapted into a live action film. He and Moana Auli’I Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated film, are set to play their same characters in the live action film.
This feel good-movie, which will be filmed in Hawaii, will become even more realistic because the real voice actors are reprising their roles as the main characters. In one article, Johnson discussed his excitement and gratitude as he returns to the franchise. “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,” he said.
Having a character who has already voiced the role and has a personal connection makes this film even more believable for a younger audience.
Movies like Snow White, Ariel, Beauty and the Beast and other Disney Princess movies have also recently been turned into live-action films. The reviews have various opinions; many prefer the original and don’t like the change in characters’ looks or voices.
A debate that also follows these films transported to life is the actors they choose to voice the characters. In shows like the Simpsons, a black character, Carlton Carlson is voiced by a white male. Disney has tried to make the voices of their characters feel authentic and in the new Moana movies, being voiced as a Hawaiian actress herself is as real as it can be.
As these new Disney movies continue to be recreated in live action, many are hoping this movie will be one of their new live action favorites, including PVHS senior Reagan Hassel. “I am very excited to see how they create this movie into a live action, and also am so glad that they are choosing to use the real voices of the characters because I am a big fan of the Rock,” she said.
Although this process has just begun, the movie is anticipated to be a close match to the animated version. Senior Halle Vice is curious about the changes that may be made. “I am curious if the story will stay the same, and what they will do with my favorite character Hei Hei, the chicken,” she said.
The strong connection in this film between Hawaii, the culture and the characters themselves will create a beautiful story that captures the true essence of this beloved family film.
