Dwayne Johnson to star in live-action reimagining of Disney’s ‘Moana’
Moana will bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure. Australian actress Catherine Laga‘aia will star as Moana, joining Dwayne Johnson who reprises his role as the beloved Maui. Catherine will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people.
“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favourites,” 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 new feature film is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via FlynnPictureCo. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs, will also serve as producer. Executive producers include Scott Sheldon of FlynnPictureCo., Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, and Charles Newirth.
Like its animated predecessor—which grossed nearly $644 million at the global box office and was among the Top 15 movies streamed in the U.S. in 2022—the live-action reimagining of Moana 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. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.
“I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen,” said Johnson. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui—inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia—is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion, and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.”
Cravalho, a Native Hawaiian actor who helped shape the protagonist in the original film, said Moana’s reach is sweeping.
“She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho explained. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me, and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.”
Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production (Disney Live Action), said the film will join a successful lineup of live-action adaptations that includes Beauty and the Beast (2017), Aladdin (2019), and The Little Mermaid.
The original Moana film became a global phenomenon upon its release in 2016. Its soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’I, and Mark Mancina, was critically acclaimed—with Miranda winning a Grammy® for Best Song Written for Visual Media and receiving Oscar and Golden Globe® nominations, all for “How Far I’ll Go.” In 2021, Moana broke a Billboard Soundtrack chart record for the amount of time spent at No. 1 (52 weeks). Additionally, Moana was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Animated Feature Film), a BAFTA (Best Animated Feature Film), and a Golden Globe (Best Motion Picture – Animated).
Production has now started and the release date has been scheduled for July 2026.
For more information and all enquiries please visit The Walt Disney Company website (view the cast list here)
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: The Walt Disney Company Facebook page
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