Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old Australian actress with Samoan heritage, has been cast as the lead in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Moana.” Disney announced that Laga’aia will portray the adventurous teenager Moana, who embarks on a daring mission to save her people.
Expressing her excitement, Laga’aia shared, “Moana is one of my favorite characters, and I’m thrilled to bring her to life. My grandfather is from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i, and my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. It’s an honor to represent Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to inspire young girls who look like me.”
Laga’aia, who resides in Sydney, is the daughter of New Zealand-Australian actor Jay Laga’aia, who celebrated her casting on Instagram. The character Moana was originally voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho in the 2016 animated film and its upcoming sequel, which is set for release on 27 November and is separate from the live-action version.
The live-action film also features New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui, Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as her mother, Sina, and Rena Owen from New Zealand’s Bay of Islands as Gramma Tala. Additionally, Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as the demigod Maui from the 2016 animated film.
A press release stated that the live-action “Moana” will offer a new take on the story of a young woman eager to forge her own path, celebrating the islands, communities, and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure. Filming is set to begin this summer.
Director Thomas Kail expressed his enthusiasm for the cast, saying, “I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie, and John through this casting process. I am humbled by this opportunity and cannot wait to be on set with everyone. And there’s no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne – actually, trio: Heihei is ready, too.”
The live-action “Moana” is scheduled for release on 10 July 2026.