When is Moana Live-Action released? Date, cast, and everything you need to know
Moana live-action will soon be arriving in theaters, which promises to captivate the audience just as the animated film did
Are you a fan of Moana? You probably already know that a live-action version will soon be hitting theaters, promising to captivate audiences just like the animated film. Here, we’ll tell you the release date, the cast, and everything you need to know about Moana live-action.
When is Moana live-action coming out?
The new Disney movie began production in the summer of 2024 and will be released in theaters on July 10, 2026. Yes, it’s still a year away, but the wait will likely be worth it.
Moana live-action: Cast
The film will be led by young actress Catherine Laga’aia and the iconic Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the character of Maui in the two animated films. Here’s the cast that will be featured in the live-action film:
- Catherine Laga’aia as Moana
- Dwayne Johnson as Maui
- John Tui as Chief Tui, Moana’s father
- Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana’s mother
- Rena Owen as Grandma Tala
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Who is Catherine Laga’aia, the actress playing Moana live-action?
Catherine Laga’aia, born in 2006 in Sydney, Australia, is a talented actress from a family with a rich artistic legacy. She is the daughter of Jay Laga’aia, known for playing Captain Typho in Star Wars, and is the second of eight siblings in a home with deep Samoan roots.
Talent runs in her family: her older sister plays netball for the Queensland Firebirds, while two of her brothers have excelled in theater, one of them performing in the Hamilton tour and the other playing Benny in a Rent production. From a young age, Catherine showed a great interest in acting.
Her professional career took off when she portrayed young Candy in three episodes of the series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023). However, her rise to fame came after being announced as the role of Moana in the live-action adaptation of the popular animated film, directed by Thomas Kail, where she stars alongside Dwayne Johnson.
What is Moana about?
The Disney animated film tells the story of Moana, the daughter of Tui, the leader of her island. Tui dreams of his daughter following in his footsteps and leading their community when the time is right. Since her childhood, Moana has been chosen by the ocean to embark on an adventure that few could undertake.
Although she hasn’t discovered her true purpose yet, she has the support of her grandmother, who encourages and persuades her to pursue the mission that has been waiting for her all along and is vital for the wellbeing of her people.
On her journey, Moana seeks out Maui, a demigod capable of transforming into any animal, especially an eagle. Initially, Maui is indifferent and reluctant to help her, but he eventually agrees to join her in the search for the villain who is destroying the islands in his wake.
When will Moana 2 be on Disney Plus?
The release of Moana 2 on Disney Plus is scheduled for March 12, 2025, so don’t worry—it’s coming very soon.
Will there be a Moana 3?
Disney hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but the second installment of the film hints that the story may continue. In addition to Moana being turned into a demigod (which makes us think there will be more adventures with Maui), the second movie has a post-credit scene showing Nalo (the god of storms) promising to take revenge on Moana, which has fueled fan hopes.
If it happens, Moana 3 could take several years to reach theaters. For now, we’ll have to wait for Disney to make an official announcement. In the meantime, you can watch the first part already available on the platform (and the second one arriving in just a few days).
