Disney's live-action era shows no signs of slowing down. According to a recent Substack report covering the July 10–12, 2026 box office weekend, the live-action Moana adaptation is firmly on the map — and so is the horror sequel Evil Dead Burn, which is also eyeing that same crowded summer corridor.
Why Live-Action Moana Is a Fancasting Dream
Of all the Disney animated properties ripe for live-action treatment, Moana might be the most exciting — and the most delicate. The original film's celebration of Polynesian culture means casting has to be thoughtful, authentic, and representative. Every major role — from the headstrong, ocean-chosen Moana herself to the larger-than-life demigod Maui — demands an actor who can bring both cultural grounding and enormous screen presence. And then there's the supporting ensemble: Chief Tui, the warm and wise Sina, the mystical Gramma Tala, the scene-stealing crab Tamatoa, and yes, even the gloriously useless Hei Hei. There's a lot of casting real estate here, and fans have opinions.
This is also the kind of project where the gap between studio decisions and fan wishes tends to be wide — which makes the myCast community's early picks especially worth examining.
What myCast Fans Are Already Saying
The myCast community has been thinking about this one for a while. Across two active fan-cast stories — Moana and Moana — a few names have already started pulling ahead of the pack.
The single loudest consensus? Dwayne Johnson as Maui. He's picked up 3 votes in each of the two main stories, making him the runaway fan favorite for the demigod role. It's hard to argue with the logic — Johnson voiced Maui in the original animated film, and the idea of him stepping into the live-action version feels almost inevitable to fans. The real question is whether Disney will see it the same way.
For Moana herself, Breanna Yde has emerged as an early pick in the second story, which has generated 15 total votes across 8 roles. Interestingly, leads that same story with 4 votes — but for Toddler Moana, a small but pivotal role that sets the entire film's emotional foundation.