Revealing exciting news, Disney has announced that Catherine Laga'aia will be the new leading lady in the highly anticipated live-action sequel to "Moana." Laga'aia, a 17-year-old from Sydney, Australia, will star alongside Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his role as the demigod Maui.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Laga'aia shared her excitement about embracing the character of Moana, stating that the young Polynesian princess has always been one of her favorites. Additionally, she feels honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and the diverse Pacific Island cultures, while also representing young girls who share her appearance.

In addition to Laga'aia and Johnson, the cast for the film includes John Tui from Auckland, New Zealand, playing Moana's father, Chief Tui. Frankie Adams, a Samoan-New Zealand actor, takes on the role of Moana's mother, Sina. Rena Owen, from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, will portray the revered Gramma Tala.

The live-action "Moana" sequel was announced last April, with Johnson returning to not only star but also produce the film. The production is set to commence this summer, aiming for a release date on July 10, 2026.

Renowned director Thomas Kail, known for his work on Broadway's "Hamilton" and Disney+ as well as "Grease Live" and "We Were the Lucky Ones," will helm the project. Kail expressed his delight in meeting and working with Laga'aia, Owen, Adams, and Tui, and looks forward to bringing everyone together on set. He also mentioned that the prospect of working with the charismatic trio of Laga'aia, Johnson, and the rooster character Heihei is an exciting one.

The screenplay for the sequel will be written by Jared Bush, who co-wrote the script for the original 2016 animated "Moana," along with Dana Ledoux Miller, a Samoan writer known for creating Netflix's "Thai Cave Rescue."

The production team consists of producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia through their Seven Bucks Productions banner, and Beau Flynn under FlynnPictureCo. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who penned the original songs, will also serve as a producer.

Furthermore, the sequel will have executive producers Scott Sheldon, Auli'i Cravalho (the voice of Moana in the first film), and Charles Newirth. Cravalho, who was cast as Moana at the age of 14, will take on the role of mentor to Laga'aia in her new position as an executive producer. At the SAG Awards, Cravalho championed the expansion of the "Moana" universe, highlighting the upcoming live-action film and the animated "Moana 2," where she will reprise her voice role.

Cravalho emphasized the impact of Moana as a universal hero, bringing about a new era for Disney princesses. She believes that the character's strength, bravery, and ability to stand up against a demigod resonates with audiences of all generations, and she is pleased that more individuals will be able to relate to Moana through these new productions.

As anticipation builds for the live-action "Moana" sequel and the upcoming animated release, fans of the beloved Polynesian princess can expect another thrilling adventure that celebrates the culture and values of the Pacific Island peoples.