This is the actress who will play the princess

Disney announced the cast of the upcoming live-action adaptation of ‘Moana’, based on the 2016 animated film. Catherine Laga’aia is a young actress, 17 years old, originally from Sydney, Australia, and she is in charge of bringing it to life. to the teenager who embarks on an adventure to save her town.

Dwayne Johnson ‘The Rock’, who plays the demigod ‘Maui’ in the animated version, will reprise his role in this new adaptation. In addition, he will be the producer. The film has already begun filming and will be released in theaters on July 10, 2026.

The cast of this new production included other notable names such as John Tui, who played the boss ‘Tui’, ‘Moana’s’ father, Frankie Adams brought to life ‘Sina’, ‘Moana’s’ energetic mother.

Rena Owen played the grandmother ‘Gramma Tala’ and Thomas Kail is in charge of the ‘film’. “I was delighted to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John during the casting process. “I am honored by this opportunity and can’t wait for us all to be on set together,” said Kail.

Catherine Laga’aia expressed her enthusiasm for being part of this project and added the following: “I am excited to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all the people of the Pacific Islandsand to represent young women who look like me.”

“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. And represent young girls who look like me,” added the young actress.

This will be Laga’aia’s debut on the big screen, prior to this participation, she had participated in three episodes of the Australian series ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ in 2023.

Disney has been late between three and five years to create ‘live action’ adaptations; Johnson had shared that Walt Disney Studios and its collaborators on the film were “still very early in the process.”

Auli’i Cravalho, who played ‘Moana’ in the animated version, acted as Laga’aia’s executive producer and mentor. “I am excited about the expansion of the Moana universe with this live-action adaptation and the upcoming Moana 2,” added Cravalho.