Disney’s Moana has found its new lead and that’s Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old Australian actress. She will star alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson who voiced the demigod Maui in the 2016 animated film.
Before the studio had cast Laga’aia, fans had been speculating whether original actress Auli’i Cravalho would return in the titular role. Later on, she revealed turning down the part due to issues with the accuracy of representation.
Disney Casts Catherine Laga’aia As Moana In Live-Action Movie
In a statement acquired by Variety, Catherine Laga’aia expressed her enthusiasm for being chosen to lead Disney’s live-action version of Moana. Revealing her “grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i” and her “grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai,” the actress takes pride in her heritage.
I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites… 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 production for Moana is set to commence this summer in time for its target 2026 release. Thomas Kail, who is known for Hamilton on Broadway and Grease Live, will be taking the director’s seat. He said about the cast of Moana:
I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie, and John through this casting process. 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.
Auli’i Cravalho previously expressed excitement for the live-action project and hoped the studio would find a fitting cast. She notably turned down the offer to return because she believed an accurate representation of the story was quite important.
In an Instagram video, the actress reminisced about her role as Moana after being cast at age 14. Now older, she will serve as an executive producer for the film. “In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role,” she remarked. “I believe it is absolutely vital the casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell,” added Cravalho.
Moana received an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is one of Disney’s most profitable projects after it grossed over $687 million worldwide against a budget of $150 million.
Fun Facts About New Moana Actress Catherine Laga’aia
Catherine Laga’aia might be an unfamiliar name for many, and that’s because Moana is her first-ever big-screen debut. Before this, her only professional acting role was in Australia’s The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart in 2023.
She comes from a family of talented people. Her father, Jay Laga’aia, might be a familiar face to fans because he has been acting for decades. He notably played Captain Typho in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
His other appearances include Senior Constable Tommy Tavita in Water Rats and Nick Pickering in Bed of Roses.
Moana is slated for a July 10, 2026 release.
