Over a year after it was announced that Disney was giving the live-action remake treatment to the 2016 animated film Moana, the company announced today that it has cast Australian actress Catherine Laga'aia to star as the titular character.
In a press release, Disney revealed that Laga'aia will be the adventurous teenager in the live-action Moana remake, which is set to hit theatres on July 10, 2026. "I'm really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites," Laga'aia said. "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."
Catherine Laga'aia | Image Credit: DisneyLaga'aia's casting comes as no surprise to anyone following the film's production. Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 animated film, revealed on Instagram in May 2023 that she would not reprise her role but would serve as an executive producer for the remake.
Disney announced a live-action Moana remake in April 2023, where it also confirmed that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson would return to the project, reprising his role as Maui, who Johnson previously voiced in the original film. Joining Johnson and Laga'aia in the film are John Tui as Moana's father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as the character's mother, Sina, and Rena Own, who will play Gramma Tala. The three New Zealand actors will join the leading duo when filming begins this summer.
Moana is not the only property that was once an animated film and adapted into live-action. In recent years, Disney has been providing live-action remakes of several of its beloved animated films, such as Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. Some upcoming live-action remakes Disney has in the pipeline, in addition to Moana, include Snow White, Bambi, and Hercules.
For more, check out our piece detailing every new Disney and Pixar film coming out in 2024 and beyond.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
