The Ocean Chose Them! See the Cast of theMoanaLive-Action Movie Side-by-Side with Their Animated Counterparts

Mar. 15, 2025

Catherine Laga’aia; Moana.Photo:Alexei Hay; Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Alexei Hay; Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Moana is going on another ocean adventure, this time sailing from animation to live-action!

Thelive-action adaptationof Disney’s beloved 2016 animated film — which grossed over $600 million worldwide and received a sequel in 2024 — is slated to hit theaters on July 10, 2026. The original story follows Moana, a determined teenager from Motunui, who sets out on a daring ocean voyage to save her people and uncover what lies beyond the safety of the reef.

In July 2024, Cravalho spoke to PEOPLE about her excitement for Laga’aia to step into the leading role, saying that she “cannot wait to see her shine.”

“When I look to a live-action film, I want her to feel like she’s that 16-year-old, young, scrappy teenager who’s going to save her island home from a manmade imbalance,” Cravalho said, adding that Laga’aia “really does represent that.”

“She’s a beautiful young woman of color. She’s so brave to be on that canoe with Dwayne Johnson,” Cravalho continued.

01of 05Catherine Laga’aia as MoanaCatherine Laga’aia; Moana in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Jay Laga’aia/ Instagram ; Atlaspix / AlamyIn her debut big-screen role, Catherine Laga’aia brings the titular character to life.“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” she said in a 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.“Laga’aia added, “I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”Prior to landing the starring role inMoana, Laga’aia appeared in a few episodes ofThe Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

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Catherine Laga’aia as Moana

Catherine Laga’aia; Moana in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Jay Laga’aia/ Instagram ; Atlaspix / Alamy

Jay Laga’aia/ Instagram ; Atlaspix / Alamy

In her debut big-screen role, Catherine Laga’aia brings the titular character to life.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” she said in a 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.”

Laga’aia added, “I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

Prior to landing the starring role inMoana, Laga’aia appeared in a few episodes ofThe Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

02of 05Dwayne Johnson as MauiDwayne “The Rock” Johnson; Maui in Disney’s ‘Moana 2’ (2024).Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ; Everett CollectionDwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) reprises his role as Maui, the demigod he voiced in the animated original and its sequel. As a shapeshifting figure from the South Pacific, Maui holds power over mankind and becomes Moana’s sidekick in her journey across the ocean.Stepping back into the role for the live-action remake was familiar for Johnson, who toldExtrain November 2024 that he has “a handle on who Maui is.““I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it,” he said.However, transitioning to live-action brought about changes that he said made the experience “eye-opening."“The moment I stepped on set … as live-action Maui, I realized right away, ‘Oh, wow, this is different,’ in terms of this is real flesh-and-blood and skin-and-bones,” Johnson said. “It becomes real all of the sudden. It was almost like getting in my grandfather’s skin and what that was like.”Outside of theMoanafranchise, the actor also starred in 2017’sBaywatchandJumanji: Welcome to the Jungleand 2022’sBlack Adam.

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Dwayne Johnson as Maui

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson; Maui in Disney’s ‘Moana 2’ (2024).Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ; Everett Collection

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ; Everett Collection

Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) reprises his role as Maui, the demigod he voiced in the animated original and its sequel. As a shapeshifting figure from the South Pacific, Maui holds power over mankind and becomes Moana’s sidekick in her journey across the ocean.

Stepping back into the role for the live-action remake was familiar for Johnson, who toldExtrain November 2024 that he has “a handle on who Maui is.”

“I know the voice, I know the man, I know his inspiration. I can access things. I got it,” he said.

However, transitioning to live-action brought about changes that he said made the experience “eye-opening.”

“The moment I stepped on set … as live-action Maui, I realized right away, ‘Oh, wow, this is different,’ in terms of this is real flesh-and-blood and skin-and-bones,” Johnson said. “It becomes real all of the sudden. It was almost like getting in my grandfather’s skin and what that was like.”

Outside of theMoanafranchise, the actor also starred in 2017’sBaywatchandJumanji: Welcome to the Jungleand 2022’sBlack Adam.

03of 05Rena Owen as Grandma TalaRena Owen; Grandma Tala in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ; AlamyRena Owen joins the cast as Grandma Tala, the mother of Chief Tui and grandmother of Moana, often referred to as the “village crazy lady.“After the June 2024 announcement that she was joining the cast, she wrote onInstagramthat “dreams do come true.““I am bless, honored, humbled, grateful & proud to be a part of the #liveaction ‘Moana’ feature film fanau!” the actress wrote. “So excited to work with this phenomenal cast & crew!“Owen’s breakout role was as Beth Heke in 1994’sOnce Were Warriors.Prior to joining theMoanacast, she also appeared in an episode ofStar Wars: The Bad Batchand had recurring roles inSirenandThe Orville.

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Rena Owen as Grandma Tala

Rena Owen; Grandma Tala in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ; Alamy

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ; Alamy

Rena Owen joins the cast as Grandma Tala, the mother of Chief Tui and grandmother of Moana, often referred to as the “village crazy lady.”

After the June 2024 announcement that she was joining the cast, she wrote onInstagramthat “dreams do come true.”

“I am bless, honored, humbled, grateful & proud to be a part of the #liveaction ‘Moana’ feature film fanau!” the actress wrote. “So excited to work with this phenomenal cast & crew!”

Owen’s breakout role was as Beth Heke in 1994’sOnce Were Warriors.Prior to joining theMoanacast, she also appeared in an episode ofStar Wars: The Bad Batchand had recurring roles inSirenandThe Orville.

04of 05John Tui as Chief TuiJohn Tui; Chief Tui in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Kevin Winter/Getty ; AlamyJohn Tui stars as Chief Tui, Moana’s strict father and the leader of Motunui. Once a voyager, a tragic event instilled in him a fear of the ocean, leading him to forbid his people from venturing beyond the safety of the island’s reef.The actor previously starred as Commander Anubis ‘Doggie’ Cruger inPower Rangers S.P.D.and asDaggeron inPower Rangers Mystic Force.He also appeared in 2014’sThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.Moanamarks a reunion between Tui and Johnson, with whom he previously starred in 2019’sFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shawand NBC’sYoung Rock.

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John Tui as Chief Tui

John Tui; Chief Tui in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Kevin Winter/Getty ; Alamy

Kevin Winter/Getty ; Alamy

John Tui stars as Chief Tui, Moana’s strict father and the leader of Motunui. Once a voyager, a tragic event instilled in him a fear of the ocean, leading him to forbid his people from venturing beyond the safety of the island’s reef.

The actor previously starred as Commander Anubis ‘Doggie’ Cruger inPower Rangers S.P.D.and asDaggeron inPower Rangers Mystic Force.He also appeared in 2014’sThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

Moanamarks a reunion between Tui and Johnson, with whom he previously starred in 2019’sFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shawand NBC’sYoung Rock.

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Frankie Adams as Sina

Frankie Adams; Sina in Disney’s ‘Moana’ (2016).Michael Kovac/Getty ; Alamy

Michael Kovac/Getty ; Alamy

Frankie Adams plays Sina, Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, who tries to balance encouraging her daughter’s adventurous spirit with respecting her husband’s protective wishes.

“I’m a proud Māmā! So honored and grateful to be part of this team,” she wrote. “This is truly surreal. Ok, ok I’m off to have another joyful cry and get ready for my trip to Motunui!”

Adams previously starred in the television seriesThe Lost Flowers of Alice Hartand 2017’sOne Thousand Ropes.

source: people.com