By 17-year-old Australian actress Catherine Laga’aia (“The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”) has been cast in the title role in Disney’s live-action “Moana” remake.
The Sydney-raised Laga’aia hails from Samoan heritage and says in a statement: “I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”
She joins Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui, in the highly anticipated film. They’re not the only once who are going to star either.
Joining them will be “The Expanse” alum Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; John Tui (“Battleship”) as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; and New Zealand acting legend Rena Owen (“Once Were Warriors”) as the revered Gramma Tala.
The live-action movie was first announced last April with confirmation Johnson would return to star and produce. Filming on the Thomas Kail-directed and Jared Bush-penned film aims to begin this summer ahead of a planned July 10th 2026 release.
The film will come after the animated sequel “Moana 2” hits cinemas on November 27th this year.
Source: Disney
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