Disney's Live-Action Moana Faces Weak Presales Amid Strategic Cutbacks

Disney's upcoming live‑action remake of *Moana*, starring Dwayne Johnson, is showing sluggish pre‑sale ticket numbers ahead of its July 10 2026 release. With a production budget exceeding $200 million, analysts warn the film could become a high‑profile box‑office misstep, especially as it competes with family blockbusters such as Universal’s *Minions & Monsters* and the historical epic *The Odyssey* slated for July.

At the same time, Disney + is dramatically reducing its investment in original live‑action series. Under CEO Bob Iger, the company is cutting costs, prioritising established intellectual property and theatrical releases, and focusing on profitability rather than subscriber growth. This shift reflects under‑performance of recent live‑action projects and a broader strategic move to lean on proven franchises.