Disney has unveiled the first trailer for its live-action Moana, introducing 18-year-old Australian actress Catherine Lagaʻaia as the titular wayfinder. Lagaʻaia, of Samoan heritage, expressed her honor in celebrating Pacific Island peoples and representing young girls who look like her. The film, set for a July 2026 release, also features Dwayne Johnson as Maui.
Disney has launched the first trailer of its highly anticipated upcoming live-action Moana. The reintroduction features a face ready to make waves in Hollywood – Catherine Lagaʻaia.The nearly minute-long trailer gives audiences a glimpse of the majestic island of Motunui; its people; the shapeshifting demigod, Maui; the intimidating yet adorable tribe of Kakamora; and Lagaʻaia as wayfinder Moana, who sings the iconic theme song, “How Far I’ll Go”.The live-action adaptation is set for release in US theatres on July 10, 2026, and all eyes are on the new actress, Catherine Lagaʻaia, who plays the titular role.
Who is Catherine Lagaʻaia?
The film features fresh face Catherine Lagaʻaia, an 18-year-old Australian teenager of Samoan heritage. “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favourites,” the Sydney native said in an earlier statement. “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 honoured to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”She was just 17 when she landed the iconic role after a global open casting call. Her connection to the Pacific Islands makes her casting particularly meaningful, especially at a time when authentic representation is crucial.Moana is directed by Emmy and Tony Award winner Thomas Kail, who helmed Hamilton on Broadway and Disney+, Grease Live, and a few episodes of Hulu’s limited series We Were the Lucky Ones. Speaking about finding the right faces for the live-action adaptation, he said, “I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I cannot wait for us all to 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.”Though Moana marks Lagaʻaia’s first major film role, she is not entirely new to the industry. She previously appeared in three episodes of Amazon Prime Video’s Australian drama series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart in 2023. In fact, acting runs in the family: her father, Jay Lagaʻaia, is an established actor best known for playing Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II and Episode III.Her father was thrilled to announce the news. In a post shared on Instagram last year, 2024, he said, “My family and I are so pleased to share this news with the rest of the world. My daughter Katie can finally share the news that she will be taking on the role of Moana in the live-action Disney movie alongside Dwayne Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda.”
Cast of Moana
Catherine Lagaʻaia is joined by Dwayne Johnson, who plays the infamous demigod Maui. In addition, the cast includes Auckland, New Zealand native John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealander Frankie Adams, who portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala. Go to Source
