Catherine Laga‘aia has been set to play ‘Moana’ in the live-action adaptation alongside Dwayne Johnson.
As previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced larger-than-life demigod Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role. the cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala.
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The live-action adventure will bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure.
The production begins filming this summer. The movie is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via FlynnPictureCo. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs, will also serve as producer. Executive producers include Scott Sheldon of FlynnPictureCo., Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Charles Newirth. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller have been tapped for the project.
Releasing in cinemas on July 10, 2026, the movie is directed by Thomas Kail, who helmed ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway and Disney+, ‘Grease Live’ and the first and last episodes of Hulu’s lauded limited series ‘We Were the Lucky Ones.’
