Key Facts
Disney's live-action adaptation of the animated musical 'Moana' is set to sail into theaters on July 10, 2026. The film brings together a mix of returning voice actors and new faces to bring the beloved characters to life. Catherine Laga'aia, a 19-year-old newcomer from Sydney, Australia, stars as the titular heroine Moana. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the charismatic demigod Maui, while Jemaine Clement returns as the shiny crab Tamatoa. The cast also includes Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams as Sina.
Cast and Characters
Moana – Catherine Laga'aia
Catherine Laga'aia, born in Sydney, Australia, makes her film debut as Moana. She previously appeared in three episodes of 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart' as a young version of Candy. Laga'aia grew up with eight siblings; her father, Jay Lagaʻaia, is a performer known for roles in Star Wars films. She takes over from Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original 2016 animated film.
Maui – Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson, a ten-time WWE world champion and blockbuster star, returns as the shapeshifting demigod Maui. Johnson's recent credits include 'The Smashing Machine' and the upcoming 'Free Byrd'. He originally voiced Maui in the animated film, performing the hit song 'You're Welcome'.
Gramma Tala – Rena Owen
Rena Owen, born in New Zealand, plays Gramma Tala, Moana's grandmother and the storyteller of the village. Owen has appeared in films by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, including 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' and voiced Taun We in 'Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'. She recently reprised that role in a 2021 episode of 'Star Wars: The Bad Batch'.
Chief Tui – John Tui
John Tui, known for 'Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw' and 'Solo: A Star Wars Story', takes on the role of Chief Tui, Moana's protective father. The character was originally voiced by Temuera Morrison, with singing voice provided by Christopher Jackson.
Sina – Frankie Adams
Frankie Adams, a Samoan New Zealand actor from 'The Expanse' and 'Shortland Street', plays Sina, Moana's perceptive mother. Nicole Scherzinger originated the role in the animated film.
Tamatoa – Jemaine Clement
Jemaine Clement, known for 'What We Do in the Shadows' and 'Rio', returns as the jewel-encrusted king crab Tamatoa, who performs the song 'Shiny'.
Pua the Pig and Heihei the Rooster
Moana's pet pig Pua and the dim-witted rooster Heihei return as animal sidekicks. The live-action production used a mix of real animals and animatronics for Pua, while Heihei is portrayed by a trained rooster. Frank Welker, who voiced Pua in the original, provided vocalizations.
Kakamora and Te Kā
The Kakamora are hostile coconut-armored nomads, and Te Kā is the giant fire demon Moana must confront. Both characters are brought to life through visual effects.
Impact and What Readers Should Know
The live-action 'Moana' is part of Disney's ongoing trend of reimagining animated classics. The film promises to retain the heart and music of the original while introducing new audiences to the story. Catherine Laga'aia's casting as Moana highlights Disney's commitment to finding fresh talent. The film is directed by [director name not provided] and produced by [producer name not provided].
FAQ
- Who plays Moana in the live-action remake? Newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, a 19-year-old actress from Sydney, Australia, plays Moana. She previously appeared in three episodes of 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart'.
- Is Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui? Yes, Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui in the live-action film.
- When is the Moana live-action movie releasing? The film is scheduled for release in theaters on July 10, 2026.
- Who is playing Gramma Tala? Rena Owen, a New Zealand-born actress known for her roles in Star Wars and A.I. Artificial Intelligence, plays Gramma Tala.