After an extensive search, Disney has found the next Moana. Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia will star as the titular character in the remake of the 2016 hit animated film. The 17-year-old actor hails from Sydney, Australia, and joins Dwayne Johnson in the feature, reprising his role as demigod Maui.
I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,
said Laga’aia. 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.
Laga’aia picks up the role from Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the original character in the 2016 film and will serve as an executive producer for the remake.
Laga’aia is also joining the family business. Her father is actor and singer Jay Laga’aia, known for playing Captain Typho in the Star Wars prequel films. Other cast members include Auckland-born John Tui as Moana’s father Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actor Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother Sina; and Rena Owen from Bay of Islands, NZ, as Gramma Tala.
Thomas Kail of Hamilton fame directs the live-action adaptation, scheduled for release on July 10, 2026. He commented on his enthusiasm for the project: I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I cannot wait to all be on set together. And there’s no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne—actually, trio: Heihei is ready, too.
The 2016 film remains one of Disney’s cornerstone movies, consistently ranking as one of the most streamed films in recent years according to Nielsen data. Disney also has a separate animated sequel due out on Nov. 27.
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