Disney has just revealed the young actress who will be playing Moana in the upcoming live-action movie adaptation!
Catherine Laga’aia will make her feature film debut in the titular role of the upcoming Disney film, joining Dwayne Johnson, who is reprising his voice role as Maui.
They also revealed the actors playing her parents and grandmother.
“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” the 17-year-old actress said in a statement. “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.”
Meet the rest of the cast that was just announced below…
John Tui, who has worked with Dwayne on his series Young Rock and the movie Hobbs & Shaw, has been cast as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui.
Frankie Adams joins the cast as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother Sina.
Siren actress Rena Owen has been cast as Moana’s revered grandmother, Gramma Tala.
The upcoming movie will “bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path,” while “celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure.”
Hamilton‘s Thomas Kail is set to direct, with Dwayne Johnson and original Moana voice star Auli’i Cravalho serving as executive producers.
Production on the live-action movie will begin this summer, with a release date set for July 10, 2026!