Moana Live Action Remake - 18-Year-Old Actress Is Playing The Lead Role Of Beloved Moana, Who's She?

Most of us were teens when the first-ever Moana, an animated film, took our breath away, with its release back in 2016. It was in 2024, when the sequel version was released, and now Disney teased viewers with the teaser of the live-action remake of the much-loved movie, Moana. For the unversed, Disney live-action refers to a category of film while the channel picks up its existing stories and remakes them, using a new live cast rather than traditional animation.

'Moana' live-action remake by Disney

Disney's live-action adaptation of the movie,  Lilo & Stitch, has been a massive success both in emotional and financial terms, and now the channel is back with its new surprise as they are all set to bring 'Moana' to real-life through a live-action remake. Disney's Moana has always been one of the most-loved animated movies, and now that Disney is treating us to the live-action remake, it's more than exciting for us. But who did Disney hire to play the part of 'Moana'? Let's have a look!

For the unversed, Auli'i Cravalho was the one to voice the lead 'Moana' in the animated movie, but when back in 2024, the sequel was released, she said that she wouldn't want to return as the lead, even though it changed her life completely. She is the executive producer of the live-action remake, and she earlier shared that she was even more excited for the new actress to portray her skills as 'Moana'.

Who is playing the role of 'Moana' in the live-action remake of the animated movie?

Well, Disney has chosen Catherine Laga'aia, an 18-year-old actress, to play the role of 'Moana' in the live-action remake. She was born in Sydney, Australia, and she's making her debut as the lead in the live-action remake. Earlier, she was seen in three episodes of the Prime Video series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart as 'Young Candy'. Her father, Jay Laga‘aia has been in the industry for several years and was featured in films like Attack of the Clones and Episode III — Revenge of the Sith as 'Captain Typho', as well as shows like The Wiggles, Home and Away and Jay's Jungle. 

The live-action remake of Moana will hit the theatre in July 2026, and it will feature Dwayne Johnson, who will be reprising his role as 'Maui'. Talking about her role, Catherine Laga'aia revealed that 'Moana' is one of her favourites and it's special as well. She further revealed in an interview to the press that she has her roots tied to Samoa and Pacific Island peoples, which made the role even special to her. She could be quoted as saying:

"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."

For the unversed, Moana is an animated story about a Polynesian girl and the chief's daughter, who, from her childhood, loves adventure and feels attached to the sea, even though the rules are there that people should stay away from it. The reason was of several folds involving demigod, 'Maui' and powerful goddesses, 'Te Feti and Te Ka'.

Are you excited to bring 'Moana' to life?

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