In a move that brings me one micro step closer to my Australian Moana-influenced Disney Park dream, The Walt Disney Studios just announced that Australian actor Catherine Laga‘aia has been cast as the new live-action Moana! Starring alongside Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his iconic role as Maui, Sydney-sider Laga‘aia will be joining the project, expected to arrive in theatres on July 10th, 2026.
Catherine Laga‘aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana.
I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,‘ said the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. ‘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 cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala.
The Walt Disney Company
