CAST ANNOUNCED for Disney's Live-Action 'Moana' Movie!

It’s a great time to be a fan of Moana!

Not only will Moana 2 be coming out in theaters this fall, but we’ll soon be getting a live-action version of the original film! We’ve been keeping up with all the news Disney has shared about the movie and we just got a super exciting update.

It’s official! Disney has announced the cast of the upcoming live-action Moana remake and we’re getting even more excited to see this story brought to life. We’ve got all the details you need to know, so keep reading for more!

Disney shared that “Catherine Laga‘aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana.”

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” Laga’aia said. “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.”

Joining Catherine’s Moana in this incredible ocean adventure will be Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, reprising his role of Maui. Also joining the journey is Auckland, New Zealander John Tui playing Moana’s father, Chief Tui. Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams brings to life Moana’s spirited mother, Sina, and Rena Owen, from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, will be portraying Gramma Tala.

Not only will these incredible actors be joining the cast, but Thomas Kail, the Tony Award-winning director of Broadway’s “Hamilton” movie has been tapped to direct the film.

Although he directed the filmed staged production of Hamilton for Disney+ in 2020, Moana will be Kail’s feature narrative directorial debut. He’s not leaving Broadway though as his production of Sweeney Todd starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford recently debuted.

In the meantime, you can stream Moana on Disney+. And, if you’re heading to Disney World, check out the new Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana attraction at EPCOT! There’s also a Moana meet and greet nearby. Or, if you’re at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you can check out the Moana meet and greet at Character Landing!