Disney's live-action 'Moana' has found its titular character in Catherine Laga'aia, who joins Dwayne Johnson as Maui.
Alexei Hay/Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Disney 's live-action ' Moana ' has found its titular character in Catherine Laga'aia, who joins Dwayne Johnson as Maui.On Wednesday, the company announced that after a worldwide search, the 17-year-old actress had won the role and will star in the movie alongsideThe film, which begins production this summer, will be released on July 10, 2026.
"I'm really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites," Laga'aia shared in a statement, adding that the role is significant to her family as native Pacific Islanders. "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.
Laga'aia continued,"I'm honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me." Filling out the cast is New Zealander John Tui as Moana's father, Chief Tui, Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana's mother. Rena Owen of Bay of Island, New Zealand, will portray Moana's influential Gramma Tala.director Thomas Kail leads the project and shared via a statement that he is anxiously anticipating filming with the newly announced cast members.
"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, a trio: Heihei is ready, too," Kail shared. star Alan Tudyk's voice for Moana's sidekick, a sweet but dull chicken, however, it's unclear if Tudyk will return.
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