By: Nina He

Almost everyone has seen the movie Moana, released in 2016. Fans may be excited to hear that there will be a live action film of Moana, coming out on July 10, 2026.

The actress chosen for the title role is Catherine Laga’aia, who is “very excited” to play this character. She is 17 years old and from Sydney, Australia. She will be playing a young girl living on an Island with a terrible curse caused by the demigod Maui was inflicted upon an island in ancient Polynesia. Answering the ocean’s call, the chief’s daughter, Moana, seeks out Maui to set things right.

Ms. Laga’aia’s dad, Jay Laga’aia, played Captain Typho in Star Wars Episode II (Attack of the Clones) and Episode III (Revenge of the Sith). Moana will be the first movie Laga’aia will be playing in, having played in three episodes of Australia’s The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart in 2023. While she only has on credit under her belt, Ms. Laga’aia shares Moana’s Polynesian heritage.

“My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i,” she said. “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.”
Disney says that this film will bring the story of “a young woman eager to pave her own path” in a “whole new way.”

Also, fans may also be excited to know that Dwayne Douglas Johnson, or better known as The Rock, will be playing Maui in this film. Fun fact: The Rock was actually the voice actor for Maui in the animation.

But this may just cause an excitement volcano: Moana 2 will be released this year, on December 27. This movie will be animated, like the first one.

After these films come out, Moana’s popularity will certainly rise.