By: Michael Xia

Catherine Laga’aia, recently cast as Moana in the live action movie, will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to film a live action version of Moana, set to be released on 10 July 2026.

Catherine Laga’aia is 17 years old and from Sydney, Australia. Catherine Laga’aia said she is “really excited” to be playing Moana, particularly because she shares Moana’s Polynesian heritage. “My grandfather comes from Fa’ala, Palauli, in Savai’i,” she said. “And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa”

She also said “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 Rock will be playing Maui because his power and physical resemblance make him an obvious choice for the live-action Moana remake. Original Moana actors like Auli’i Cravalho aged out of their roles, leading to recasting decisions for the remake.

Disney dropped the first trailer for “Moana 2” Wednesday with Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson back as the voices of Moana and Maui, respectively. The trailer also features new music for the highly anticipated
Disney sequel, which arrives in theaters in November.

Disney says the film will bring the story of “a young woman eager to pave her
own path” in a “whole new way “But it’s not the only Moana adventure coming to screens soon.Moana 2 will be released on 27 November 2024 and will take us on another time across the seas.