Disney has announced that Australian teen Catherine Laga’aia will play the lead role in their upcoming live-action of Moana. She will join Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is reprising his role as the boisterous, larger that life demigod Maui.

The 17 year old, who calls Sydney home, said, “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites. 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.”

Disney has confirmed the cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portraying Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen from Bay of Islands, New Zealand as Gramma Tala.

The film is being directed by Thomas Kail, who also directed “Hamilton” on Broadway and Disney+, “Grease Live,” and the first and last episodes of Hulu’s limited series “We Were the Lucky Ones.”  “I am humbled by this opportunity, and cannot wait to all be on set together. And there’s no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne – actually trio. Heihei is ready too,” Kail said.

Hawaii’s Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 animated movie, will serve an executive producers on the film. Production is expected to start this summer, with the movie predicted to arrive in theaters in July 2026.