Moana is going on another ocean adventure, this time sailing from animation to live-action!
The live-action adaptation of 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.
Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, while newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes on the starring role of Moana. The movie, which is currently filming in Hawaii, is directed by Thomas Kail, with Johnson producing alongside Moana music composer Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original lead, Auli‘i Cravalho.
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.
Here’s a look at the cast of Moana side-by-side with their animated counterparts from the original movie.
Catherine Laga'aia as Moana
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 in MoanaLaga’aia appeared in a few episodes of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
Dwayne Johnson as Maui
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 told Extra in 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 the Moana franchise, the actor also starred in 2017’s Baywatch and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and 2022’s Black Adam.
Rena Owen as Grandma Tala
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 on Instagram that “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’s Once Were Warriors. Prior to joining the Moana cast, she also appeared in an episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch and had recurring roles in Siren and The Orville.
John Tui as Chief Tui
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 in Power Rangers S.P.D. and as Daggeron in Power Rangers Mystic Force. He also appeared in 2014’s The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Moana marks a reunion between Tui and Johnson, with whom he previously starred in 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw and NBC’s Young Rock.
Frankie Adams as Sina
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.
Following the June 2024 announcement of her role, she shared a sweet message on Instagram to her new “lil Moana aiga,” meaning family in Samoan.
“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 series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and 2017’s One Thousand Ropes.
