Lin-Manuel Miranda composed a new original song for Disney's live-action "Moana" remake, expanding his creative involvement beyond the 2016 animated film. The track, titled "Along the Way," features Catherine Laga'aia as live-action Moana, Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, and Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of animated Moana, in a dual-cast vocal arrangement.
The song represents Miranda's continued partnership with Disney on the live-action adaptation, which director Ron Clements is helming. By bringing Cravalho into the new recording, Disney bridges the original animated film's legacy with the theatrical remake, giving audiences a creative throughline between both versions. This approach acknowledges the vocal icon fans connected with across the franchise's music catalog, while introducing Laga'aia as the new live-action interpretation of the character.
Miranda's involvement deepens the musical stakes for the remake. The composer and "Hamilton" architect has delivered some of Disney's most successful modern songs, including "How Far I'll Go" and "We Know the Way" from the original "Moana." "Along the Way" adds to that legacy while signaling that the live-action version won't simply replicate the animated film's music.
The dual-actress approach on this track serves a strategic purpose. It positions the remake as a complementary rather than replacement project, honoring the original while establishing its own identity. Dwayne Johnson's continued presence as Maui anchors continuity for audiences, while the fresh casting of Laga'aia suggests the filmmakers are investing in new talent rather than simply recasting established stars.
This song release arrives as Disney balances its live-action remake strategy. Following the massive success of "The Lion King" and "Aladdin," the studio