‘Dora the Explorer’ Movie First Photo: Isabela Moner Takes on the Popular Character

Dora the Explorer star Isabela Moner
First look at Isabela Moner as Dora in the film ‘Dora the Explorer.’ (Photo Credit: Paramount Players)

Filming has just gotten underway on the live-action film based on Nickelodeon’s award-winning children’s animated series, Dora the Explorer. Production kicked off on August 6th in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia with Isabela Moner (pictured above) taking on the title role.

11-time Emmy and four-time BAFTA nominee James Bobin (The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted, Flight of the Conchords) is directing the first live-action adaptation of Dora the Explorer. The Paramount Players, Nickelodeon, and Walden Media production is targeting an August 2, 2019 theatrical release.

In addition to Isabela Moner (Sicario: Day of the Soldado), the cast includes Eugenio Derbez (How to Be A Latin Lover) as Alejandro, a mysterious jungle inhabitant who tries to protect the teenagers from the marauders. Micke Moreno (Escobar: Paradise Lost) is playing cousin Diego; Nicholas Coombe (Spy Kids: Mission Control) is Randy, a fellow high schooler who develops an immediate crush on Dora; Madeleine Madden (Picnic at Hanging Rock) plays the school’s snooty class president, Sammy; Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza (Babel) is Dora’s grandma, Abuelita Valerie; and Temuera Morrison (Moana) is taking on the role of Powell.

Kristin Burr produces and John G. Scotti, Julia Pistor, and Eugenio Derbez executive produce. The behind the scenes team includes production designer Dan Hennah, costume designer Rahel Afiley, cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe, film editor Mark Everson, and VFX supervisor Andy Brown.

The Plot: Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents nothing could prepare Dora for the most dangerous adventure ever – High School. Always the explorer, Dora quickly finds herself leading Boots (her best friend, a monkey), Diego, and a rag tag group of teens on a live-action adventure to save her parents and solve the impossible mystery behind a lost Inca civilization.