Disney Announces 17-Year-Old Catherine Laga'aia To Play Moana In New Live Action Remake
Over a year after Disney shared their plans for a live-action remake of the 2016 animated film Moana, the company just announced that it has cast 17-year-old year old Australian actress Catherine Laga'aia as the star.
Disney revealed that Laga'aia will be the adventurous Moana, which is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.
"I'm really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites," Laga'aia shared in the press release. "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 film marks Laga‘aia's feature film debut. She previously appeared in a three-episode stint of the Prime Video drama "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart."
Auli'i Cravalho, 23, who voiced Moana in the 2016 animated film shared last year that she would not reprise her role but would instead serve as an executive producer for the remake. However, she will be voicing Moana in the animated sequel, Moana 2, which is set for a Nov. 27 release.
Disney also confirmed that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson would return to the project, reprising his role as Maui. "I'm deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen," Johnson stated. "This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength."
Thomas Kail, the director (best known for Hamilton) stated that the film will "celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this (is a) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivi," Johnson said.
The original Moana grossed nearly $644 million at the global box office and was among the top 15 films streamed in the U.S. in 2022. The film's soundtrack won a Grammy Award and the song "How Far I’ll Go" earned an Oscar nomination.
Some upcoming live-action remakes Disney has in the pipeline, in addition to Moana, include Snow White, Bambi, and Hercules.
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