Composer of Moana Shares Enthusiasm for Live-Action Remake and Hints at Musical Updates

Mark Mancina, the composer behind the beloved animated film Moana, recently expressed his excitement about the upcoming live-action adaptation. Renowned for his collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa’i on the original soundtrack, Mancina is set to return as the composer for this new project. Fans can expect a blend of familiar melodies and fresh elements when the film opens in theaters on July 10, 2026. Notably, Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui, while Catherine Laga’aia will step into the shoes of Moana, replacing Auli’i Cravalho.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Mancina shared insights into his work on the live-action remake and the creative vision guiding the project. He highlighted the impressive team assembled for the film, including Thomas Kail, the director celebrated for his work on the Broadway hit Hamilton. Mancina also dropped hints about the music, teasing potential new songs while confirming that tracks are being prepared for filming. His comments shed light on the direction the music will take:

I’m signed to do it, so I am doing it. The only thing that we’ve done so far is delivered basic tracks for the songs so that they can film. Generally, I think it’s going to be similar to the animated film, but [with] the music, again, I’m hoping that I’ll make it more sophisticated. I’d like to update it to make it more my own.

Of course, Opetaia now really has his vocal thing and the choral thing really dialed in, and the director that’s doing this is the guy that did Hamilton with Lin, and so it could be a really great team. Dwayne is the producer, so I think it could be really great. I have high hopes for it. I’m looking forward to doing it.

I don’t know. Generally, it’s the same songs, but are there going to be new songs? I would think, but I don’t know. We haven’t written anything, but who knows?

Implications for the Live-Action Moana

A Return to Musical Roots

The challenge faced by the Moana 2 reviews often centered on its musical composition, which some critics felt did not quite match the charm of the original. However, the live-action adaptation seems poised to outperform its sequel due to Mancina and Foa’i’s involvement. Given Mancina’s assurance that “generally, it’s the same songs”as the animated classic, coupled with Kail’s acclaimed background in musical theater, there is much to look forward to.

The orchestration for the live-action Moana is expected to echo the spirit of its predecessor, whereas the sequel’s music drifted slightly away from that hallmark style. Mancina’s ambition to refine and enhance the songs indicates a likelihood of deeper musical sophistication, creating high expectations among fans. Although music development is still in its infancy—considering that filming is still occurring in 2024—the creative team is already hard at work setting the stage.

Insights on Mark Mancina’s Comments

Intriguing Potential for New Songs

While the songs in Moana 2 had their strong points, they largely failed to achieve the emotional resonance of the original’s soundtrack. The live-action remake thus serves as a promising opportunity to rejuvenate the franchise’s musical identity. The prospect of incorporating new songs provides not only fresh content but also greater narrative depth, potentially enriching the storyline in ways the original did not explore. As scrutiny intensifies around the soundtrack for this adaptation, all eyes will be on the music to elevate the film to new heights.

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