Disney Reveals the Cast for Their New Live-Action Moana, Naming Catherine Laga’aia as Titular Character
Catherine Laga‘aia has been cast in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana. She joins Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his role as Maui. The film is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, with production starting this summer.
The Walt Disney Company announced the cast, which reflects the Polynesian heritage of the original animated film. New Zealanders John Tui and Frankie Adams will portray Moana’s parents, Chief Tui and Sina. From the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Rena Owen was cast as Gramma Tala.
Laga’aia shared, “My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”
The young Australian actress previously depicted Young Candy in the TV series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, released in 2023. Her father, Jay Laga’aia, an actor known for his work in Star Wars, was pleased to share the news on Instagram.
Thomas Kail, known for directing Grease: Live and Broadway’s Hamilton, will direct the film. Auli‘i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, is a producer, alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed the original songs. Executive producers include Scott Sheldon of FlynnPictureCo. and Charles Newirth.
While still involved in the project and voicing the main character for Moana 2, Cravalho passed up the role for the live-action film. In an interview, she shared, “It feels really important to me to pass the baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent,”
Cravalho expressed. “I am one of the few Pacific Islanders. And our stories are so important to be told.” She advised the 17-year-old Laga‘aia, encouraging her to “make it your own.”
While fans await the live-action Moana, they can look forward to Moana 2 hitting theatres on November 27. In the meantime, the first Moana can be streamed on Disney+.”
