Catherine Laga‘aia has been chosen as the new leading lady in Disney's live-action "Moana," starring alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui. Laga‘aia, a 17-year-old from Australia with Samoan heritage, is excited to represent Pacific Island peoples and young girls who look like her. The cast also includes John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen, with production set to start in the summer for a July 10, 2026 release. Directed by Thomas Kail, the screenplay is written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. Produced by Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions, the film will also involve Lin-Manuel Miranda. Auli‘i Cravalho, the voice of Moana in the original film, serves as an executive producer and mentor to Laga‘aia. The expansion of the "Moana" universe includes both the upcoming live-action film and the animated "Moana 2," set to be released on Nov. 27.