Laga’aia Joins Dwayne Johnson, Who Reprises His Role as the Beloved Maui, in the Oceanic Adventure Heading to Australian movie theaters July 9, 2026.
Catherine Laga’aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the daring teen who cruises out on a bold objective to conserve her individuals in Disney’s upcoming live-action”Moana” “I’m truly thrilled to welcome this character due to the fact thatMoana is among my favorites,” stated the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. “My grandpa originates from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my granny is from Leulumoega Tuai on the primary island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have a chance to commemorate Samoa and all Pacific Island individuals, and to represent girls who appear like me.”
The cast likewise consists of Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense dad, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand starlet Frankie Adams represents Moana’s lively and strong-willed mom, Sina; and Rena Owen, who comes from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala. Formerly revealed, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced epic demigod Maui in the 2016 animated variation of the movie, will repeat his function.
Launching in Australian movie theaters on July 9, 2026,”Moanais directed by Thomas Kail, who helmed “Hamilton” on Broadway and Disney+, “Grease Live” and the very first and last episodes of Hulu’s admired restricted series “We Were the Lucky Ones.” Said Kail, “I am enjoyed have actually fulfilled Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting procedure. I am humbled by this chance, and I can not wait to all be on set together. And there’s no much better set to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne– in fact, trio: Heihei is prepared, too.”
“Moana” will bring to life in an entire brand-new method the story of a girl excited to pave her own course. Commemorating the islands, neighborhoods and customs of Pacific Islanders in an amazing experience, the production starts recording this summer season. The brand-new function movie is produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia by means of their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn by means of FlynnPictureCo. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed the initial tunes, will likewise work as manufacturer. Executive manufacturers consist of Scott Sheldon of FlynnPictureCo., Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 movie, and Charles Newirth. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller have actually been tapped for the task. Bush, a veteran of Disney Animation, composed the movie script for 2016’s “Moana,” and Miller is a Samoan author who produced Netflix’s “Thai Cave Rescue” and co-founded the non-profit Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK).