We know that Disney has been slowly ploughing through their renaissance films for the live-action adaptations, but now we’re going to have a live-action adaptation of a newer renaissance entry with Moana.
With Auli‘i Cravalho being too old to play Moana though, Disney has found someone to take over the role for live-action. According to Variety, the part will be played by 17-year-old Catherine Laga‘aia who will be playing the part of Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson who is reprising the role of Maui for live-action.
Laga’aia had this to say about landing the role: “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites… 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.”
Besides Laga’aia, the movie has also cast Moana’s family with John Tui playing Moana’s father; Frankie Adams as her mother; and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.
With the movie aiming for a release in 2026, production is said to be eyeing a start this Summer. The movie will be directed by Thomas Kail, who has also worked on Hamilton, Grease Live, and We Were the Lucky Ones.
The live-action Moana is aiming for a release on July 10, 2026. In the meantime, you can catch the character back on the big screen with Moana 2 coming out Nov. 27.
