Walt Disney Studios has officially announced the cast members for the upcoming live-action ‘Moana‘ film.
It has been confirmed that Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as the demigod Maui in Disney’s live-action ‘Moana.’ Catherine Laga’aia is set to play Moana, with John Tui taking on the role of Chief Tui, Moana’s overprotective father. Frankie Adams will portray Sina, Moana’s mother, while Rena Owen will be Gramma Tala, Chief Tui’s mother and Moana’s paternal grandmother.
On the X platform, Walt Disney Studios made the announcement and wrote, “Introducing Catherine Laga’aia as the live-action Moana, joining Dwayne Johnson as Maui, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. The new reimagining starts production this summer.”
In a statement, Laga‘aia said, “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites.” Laga‘aia added, “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 film is directed by Thomas Kail, acclaimed for his direction of ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway and Disney+, as well as ‘Grease Live’ and the first and last episodes of Hulu’s ‘We Were the Lucky Ones.’ Joining him on the project are Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. Bush, known for his work with Disney Animation, penned the screenplay for the 2016 animated ‘Moana.’ Miller, a Samoan writer and co-founder of the non-profit Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK), has credits including Netflix’s ‘Thai Cave Rescue.’
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, the production begins filming this summer.
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.
‘Moana’ will hit theaters on July 10, 2026, by Walt Disney Studios.
