Australian Teen Cast as Lead in Live-Action "Moana" Film

In an exciting announcement, Walt Disney revealed on Wednesday that an Australian teenager has been chosen to play the lead role in the upcoming live-action adaptation of "Moana." Catherine Laga'aia, a 17-year-old from Sydney, will take on the coveted role, alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who will reprise his role as Maui, the charismatic demigod.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the character, Laga'aia shared, "I'm really excited to embrace this role because Moana is one of my favorites. I am honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me." Laga'aia has a personal connection to the character's cultural background, with her grandfather hailing from Fa'aala, Palauli in Savai'i and her grandmother from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of 'Upolu in Samoa.

Joining Laga'aia and Johnson in the cast are other talented actors from the Pacific. John Tui, from Auckland, New Zealand, will portray Moana's father, Chief Tui, while Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams will take on the role of Moana's mother, Sina. Rena Owen, hailing from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, has been cast as Gramma Tala.

The highly-anticipated live-action film will be directed by Thomas Kail, best known for his work on "Hamilton" on Broadway and Disney+'s "Grease Live," as well as Hulu's limited series "We Were the Lucky Ones." Kail expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "I am humbled by this opportunity and cannot wait for all of us to be on set together. And there's no better trio to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne-actually, quartet: Heihei is ready too."

Adding to the significance of this production, Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana in the original 2016 animated movie, will be serving as one of the executive producers for the film. This new adaptation of "Moana" aims to bring a fresh perspective to the story of a young woman seeking her own path, while also celebrating the vibrant cultures, communities, and traditions of Pacific Islanders in an exciting new adventure.

Fans of the animated film can look forward to seeing their beloved characters and story come to life once again, this time through the talent and dedication of an Australian teen and an incredible ensemble cast. The live-action version of "Moana" promises to captivate audiences and honor the rich heritage of the Pacific Islands when it hits the big screen.