Disney Casts Live-Action Moana, Filming Starts This Summer

Disney has cast 17-year-old Catherine Laga’aia from Sydney, Australia as their live-action Moana. Filming is set to start this summer.

Side-by-side image: on the left, a smiling girl with curly hair in casual clothing; on the right, an animated character with long hair and a necklace against an ocean backdrop. Excitement builds as filming starts for Disney's Live-Action Moana.

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

Laga‘aia will star opposite Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui from the animated “Moana.” Original Moana actress Auli’i Cravalho is executive producing the live-action adaptation. “Hamilton” director Thomas Kail is directing. The original film’s writer, Jared Bush, is writing the screenplay. John Musker and Ron Clements, directors of the animated film, are not involved in the remake.

Source: Variety

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