The titular character has now been cast…
Disney fans might have Moana 2, the hotly-anticipated sequel to the hit 2016 animated movie starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson coming our way, but that’s not all there is to look forward to: a live-action reimagining of Moana is also in the works.
Moana, set in ancient Polynesia, tells the story of a girl chosen by the ocean to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. Along her journey, Moana crosses paths with the exiled demigod Maui, who helps to guide her in her quest.
While Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui, newcomer Catherine Laga’aia has been cast in the role of Moana, taking over from original voice actor Cravalho.
“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favourites,” the Sydney-based actress, who is the daughter of Home and Away actor Jay Laga’aia, said in a statement on Thursday.
“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.”
She continued: “I’m honoured 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 New Zealand actor John Tui as as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui, Samoan-New Zealand star Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina, and New Zealander Rena Owen as the reverend Gramma Tala.
Muana will be the latest in a long line of recent Disney remakes, from Beauty and the Beast to Aladdin, Mulan to The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.
So, without further ado, read on for everything we know so far about the Disney live-action reimagining, including who could appear in the cast and when we could expect the movie to land.
Moana live-action movie release date speculation
The movie will land in cinemas in Australia on 9th July, 2026, before releasing globally on 10 July, 2026.
Filming is set to kick off in summer 2024.
Moana live-action movie cast
The confirmed cast list so far is as follows:
- Dwayne Johnson as Maui
- Catherine Laga’aia as Moana
Dwayne Johnson, who voiced Maui in the original animated Moana and will return to bring the character to life in the live-action version, revealed the project at Disney’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Webcast on Monday (3rd April).
“We are so excited and happy to announce that a live action reimagining of Moana is in the works,” The Rock said in the video announcement,
As well as his own comeback, Johnson promised the return of “Moana, Gramma Tala, the music, the dance, Te Fiti, Pua the pig, the village, the beautiful, powerful ocean”.
Meanwhile, newcomer Catherine Laga’aia will play Moana, who was originally voiced by Auli’i Cravalho in the animated movie.
While Cravalho might not be returning on our screens, the star will instead serve as executive producer in the new movie.
The original movie, which debuted in 2016 and was a big box office success, also starred Rachel House, Nicole Scherzinger and Temuera Morrison, but their returns to the new Moana live-action film are yet to be announced.
The movie has a personal significance for Johnson, who has spoken about how he credits his inspiration for the role to his real-life grandfather.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” Johnson said in a press release.
“I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”
Further cast details are yet to be announced, but watch this space!
Read more:
Is there a trailer for the Moana live-action movie?
Not yet, but there is an announcement video with Dwayne Johnson – released in April 2023 – revealing that the live-action Moana is on the way.
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