The actress joins Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the beloved Maui, in the oceanic adventure heading to theaters July 10, 2026 — production kicks off this Summer.
She has arrived. Catherine Laga’aia has joined the upcoming Moana live-action remake in the eponymous role. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as the demigod Maui, whom he voiced in the original CG animated film. Production begins this summer.
“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said Laga‘aia, a 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. “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 cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother Sina; and Rena Owen of Bay of Islands, NZ, as the revered Gramma Tala.
Moana is directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton on Broadway, Grease Live). “I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process,” Kail said. “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 new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via FlynnPictureCo. Original song composer Lin-Manuel Miranda will also produce. 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. Bush, a veteran of Disney Animation, wrote the screenplay for 2016’s Moana. Miller is a Samoan writer who created Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue and co-founded the non-profit Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK). No word yet on the VFX production.
Moana hits theaters July 10, 2026.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
