Disney’s live-action Moana looks faithful, but several sneaky changes might have slipped right past fans. The remake quietly tweaks backstories, character roles, and iconic jokes from the 2016 animated classic.
Besides post-credits scenes, Moana remake has many differences from original
The live-action Moana remake introduces several notable differences from the 2016 animated original beyond its post-credits changes. The remake drops all post-credits content from the original film while also making distinct changes throughout the story.
Chief Tui’s backstory changes a key detail
The person who drowned during Chief Tui’s youth changes from his best friend to his cousin. This trauma still drives his fear of sailing beyond the reef.
Tamatoa’s eyes look different
The giant crab now sports one yellow eye and one blue eye in the live-action version. The animated Tamatoa instead featured pupil asymmetry as a tribute to David Bowie.
Pua has a much smaller role
Moana’s loyal pig companion Pua barely appears in the live-action film. The animated version kept the expressive pet by her side in the entire story.
The tweeting joke gets scrapped
Maui’s joke about using Heihei’s beak to write being called “tweeting” does not appear in the remake.
Villagers lose their quirky personalities
The animated Motunui villagers had memorable individual moments and distinct comedic personalities. The remake reduces them mostly to reacting to events around them.
Moana’s first ocean interaction is shorter
The toddler Moana’s playful first meeting with the ocean loses its animated charm in the remake. The new version cuts the hair horns, extra seashells, and extended watery fun from the original scene.
Sina plays a smaller role
Moana’s mother shifts from an equal parental figure to a nearly absent character in the live-action version. Frankie Adams replaces Nicole Scherzinger in the role for the new adaptation.
Hammerhead replaces Great White shark
Maui’s botched shapeshifting now gives him a hammerhead shark head instead of a Great White. The joke swaps one apex predator for another in the remake.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
