Live Action 'Moana' Adaptation Adds Hamilton's Thomas Kail as Director!

The live action adaptation of Moana has gained an award winning director!

Tony and Emmy award winning director Thomas Kail has reportedly been hailed by Disney to lead the upcoming movie, which is currently in the works at the Mouse House, according to THR.

Keep reading to learn more…

Although Thomas previously directed the Hamilton film that is on Disney+, this will mark his “feature narrative directorial debut.”

Thomas won a Tony award for directing Hamilton on Broadway, he also directed In the Heights, and the latest production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which is currently playing on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. He also won an Emmy for directing Grease: Live!

If you forgot or didn’t know, Thomas has a close connection to Moana, as he frequently works with Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote several songs for the original animated film.

The live action version of the story will see Dwayne Johnson reprise his role of Maui, the demigod. Dwayne and original voice of Moana Auli’i Cravalho will both serve as executive producers.

See what she recently said about her involvement with the film!

UPDATE: Dwayne has confirmed that Thomas will in fact be directing the upcoming movie. Check out what he shared on Instagram below!

“Pumped to announce that Tony Award winning “HAMILTON” director Thomas Kail will direct our live action adaptation of Disney’s MOANA 🪝🌊

I’ve been very inspired by Tommy’s spirit, drive, talent, passion and hunger to create something special with MOANA for the world to enjoy.

He’s “the hardest worker in the room” who’s won multiple Tony’s for directing HAMILTON and IN THE HEIGHTS, so he comes to this project with intrinsic reverence for history and culture — edge and vibe — and music and dance.

Story of MOANA and playing MAUI is deeply personal to me and our Polynesian culture – as our culture is rooted in pride, emotion, expression, storytelling, music & mana.

MOANA is a once in a lifetime endeavor for us and I’m honored to go shoulder to shoulder with our director, Thomas Kail and our entire team.

Our ancestors are watching and the ocean will always have a pulse.”