Moana’s Leading Actor Announced
Disney has finally announced who will play the lead role in the long-awaited live-action Moana adaptation. Following a global open casting process, young actress Catherine Laga’aia was chosen to play Moana, and Disney officially announced the start of the new era of the Moana project with the release of the first images.
Catherine Laga’aia Officially Cast in the Moana Film
According to Disney, Catherine Laga’aia was cast as Moana in the summer of 2024, and the production team emphasized the actress’s Polynesian heritage as a perfect fit for the character. In her initial statement, Laga’aia stated that she is proud of her family’s Samoan heritage and that portraying Moana was a great honor.
According to sources, the actress will make her big screen debut with the role of Moana. Laga’aia previously had a brief role in the Amazon series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, and Disney stated that the young actress’s natural energy was a strong fit for the film. The studio also confirmed that the actress comes from a talented family, with her father, Jay Laga’aia, known for his role in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
According to Disney’s statement, the cast of Moana’s characters in the film has also been confirmed. Dwayne Johnson will return as Maui, while John Tui will portray Moana’s father, Chief Tui. The production team confirmed that Frankie Adams has been cast as Moana’s mother, Sina, and filming wrapped in late 2024.
Industry sources indicate that a live-action adaptation of Moana is a strategic move for Disney. Given the animated series’ strong audience, it has been stated that if the new film is successful, new projects on the live-action side of Moana could emerge. Disney announced that work on Moana 3 is ongoing and that the animated universe will continue to grow. The live-action Moana film will be released on July 10, 2026. Disney announced that the promotional campaign, along with new visuals, will accelerate in the coming months.
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