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Dana Ledoux Miller, the co-writer of the live-action Moana movie, explains why she thinks the movie will be particularly impactful for audiences. After the massive success of 2016's animated Moanaon Disney+, Disney announced in 2023 that the title character's epic quest to save her island from a curse in ancient Polynesia would be adapted into live-action. Thomas Kail directs the live-action Moana remake, with Jared Bush co-writing with Miller. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in the film, with Catherine Lagaʻaia replacing Auli'i Cravalho as the eponymous hero.

In a recent interview with Variety, Miller says that, despite the live-action Moana serving as a retelling of the story from the 2016 original, it will still feel "fresh" to audiences. According to the co-writer, the live-action remake will honor the legacy of the animated film, but its new format will help to highlight the dangers of Moana's journey out on the harsh ocean waves.

Growing up, Dana Ledoux Miller’s mother would take her and her brother to matinees of films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast.” After, she’d wear out her tapeplayer, listening to and singing along with the soundtracks for the animated classics, imagining she was Belle, Jasmine, Ariel or other Disney princesses.

“It made me want to tell stories,” Miller says.

But she never thought she’d get a chance to play a central role in determining the fate of one of those Disney heroines, which she did as the co-writer and co-director of “Moana 2,” one of the biggest hits of 2024. The sequel, which was co-directed by Jason Hand and David Derrick Jr., is debuting on Disney+ this week after earning more than $1 billion at the global box office. Miller didn’t initially plan on being part of that journey, at least not with cinemas...

One of the directors of Moana 2 recently gave an exciting update regarding the future of the franchise. The sequel's success at the box office appears to bode well for more Moana projects at Disney.

Speaking with Screen Rant at the 2025 Golden Globes, Dana Ledoux Miller, one of the three co-directors of Moana 2, spoke about the film's recent success and hinted that there might be more to come in the future. "I think that the fact that so many people have come out to see this movie means that there's a lot of love for Moana," Miller said. "In a year and a half I have another film coming out, it's the live-action Moana, so there's a lot of Moana love to go around. And who knows what else is next."

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Dwayne Johnson is set to bring his beloved animated character, Maui, to the real world as his live-action Moana adaptation takes shape. However, one artist's eye-opening creation reverses Johnson's transformation as the actor is reimagined as a live version of his animated character.

Via Instagram, Brazilian artist Isaias Silva shared an unsettling yet hilarious video featuring Johnson and his Moana character. The clip shows Silva imposing Johnson's features on Maui, including his face, biceps and other features. The final product sees a weirdly smiling Johnson with extra muscle holding Maui's trusted fishhook on a beach. The video garnered many laughs in the comments and one reaction that sums up the video perfectly as one fan said, "Things cannot be unseen."

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Related Moana 2 Achieves All-Time Animated Movie Feat With Latest Box-Office Mark

Moana 2 continues to swim to greater heights at the box office,...

Wicked raised the bar for musical films with its successful theatrical run, becoming one of the best movies of 2024 and one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. Wicked's box office success could lead to more musical films premiering in theaters in the near future. One groundbreaking Broadway hit that should receive a film adaptation is Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2015 musical Hamilton, which depicts the life of Alexander Hamilton and his impact on American history.

While Wicked has been around on Broadway far longer than Hamilton, the latter's popularity and high quality demands a big-budget film adaptation on par with director Jon M. Chu's vision of Wicked. It has already displayed its blockbuster potential on Disney+ with 2020's Hamilton film, so combined with Wicked's stellar performance in theaters, a film adaptation of Miranda's musical is all but guaranteed at this point.

Wicked's Performance Increases The Chances Of...

Exclusive: AuliʻiCravalho, star of Moana 2 (2024) and Mean Girls: The Musical (2024), has boarded The Queen’s Flowers, an Oscar-qualified animated short, as executive producer.

The film, written and directed by filmmaker Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy, has won over 12 awards worldwide, and it marks the first venture into animation for Lacy, an Emmy nominee.

“Not only is the film masterfully crafted both in terms of animation and storytelling, but it’s also powerfully and beautifully authentic in terms of representation,” Cravalho said. “It immediately brought me to tears upon my first viewing, and I’m excited to be a champion of this film.”

The Queen’s Flowers follows Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl in 1915 Honolulu, as she embarks on a heartfelt quest to create a special gift for Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch. The film has a rich with historical and cultural significance.

In addition to her voice acting role...

Lin-Manuel Miranda shares his hesitations about turning Hamilton into a live-action movie. The Broadway musical, which debuted in 2015, revolutionized musical theater by combining the story of one of America's Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, with hip-hop. The musical won numerous prestigious awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and eleven Tony Awards. In 2020, a filmed stage version was released on Disney+, giving global audiences a chance to experience the show from home. Despite Hamilton's success, though, Miranda remains cautious about translating his beloved stage production into a live-action film.

In an interview with Danny Directo for Entertainment Tonight, Miranda expressed that adapting musicals to movies is no small feat. He pointed to Wicked, the recently released film adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, as an example, as it took over two decades to develop. Miranda suggested that Hamilton could take just as long--or longer--before it’s ready for the big screen, depending on how the adaptation is approached.

Moana composer Mark Mancina shares his enthusiasm for the live-action remake, along with hints of what to expect from the music. Mancina was the composer for the original Moana, where he wrote songs in collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa'i. The music for the Moana live-action remake will also be composed by Mancina. Dwayne Johnson is reprising his role as Maui for the live-action movie, while Catherine Laga'aia replaces Auli'i Cravalho as Moana. The movie is slated to debut in theaters on July 10, 2026.

While speaking with Screen Rant, Mancina revealed what he has done so far for the live-action Moana and why he is excited about it. He discussed the creative team involved, which includes director Thomas Kail, who was the director of the acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton. Mancina also shared whether new songs have been written yet and mentioned how there are details about the project that he is still waiting to learn.

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Margaret Qualley is one of the most talented and brilliant young actresses working in Hollywood right now. Born to actress Andie MacDowell, the actress, model, and dancer trained as a ballet dancer in her youth. She made her acting debut in 2013 with Gia Coppola‘s film Palo Alto. She recently starred in the hit satirical body horror film The Substance alongside Demi Moore. So, if you also love Qualley’s performances, here are the 10 best movies and TV shows starring Margaret Qualley.

10. My Salinger Year (AMC+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – IFC Films

My Salinger Year is a drama film written and directed by Philippe Falardeau. Based on the memoir of the same name by Joanna Rakoff, the 2020 film follows Joanna Rakoff, an aspiring writer working for literary agent Phyllis Westberg, as she receives some impactful personal advice from reclusive author J.D. Salinger.

Dwayne Johnson pulled out all the stops in order to transform into Maui for the upcoming live-action Moana.

The actor, who has voiced the larger-than-life demigod in two Moana animated Disney films, recently confirmed to Extra that he wore a bodysuit to make his physique more realistic to Maui’s in the Thomas Kail-directed movie, set for release in 2026.

“That’s a suit that took a long time to put on,” Johnson said. “So, I’m so happy you said, ‘You bulked up,’ because when you say, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell.”

Photos from the filming set were previously leaked by paparazzi, igniting a debate on social media as to whether the actor, who already has a very muscular build, was wearing a bodysuit. In the images, Johnson was spotted with a notably demigod-sized physique as well as all of Maui’s tattoos.

But Johnson...

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson used a special bodysuit to "bulk up" for his role in 'Moana'.The 52-year-old wrestler-turned-actor plays demigod Maui in the new live-action version of 2016 Disney film 'Moana' and he was recently pictured on the set looking particularly ripped - but Dwayne has admitted his muscled physique is down to a special costume.During an interview with 'Extra', he was asked if he "bulked up" for the 'Moana' part, and he replied: "That’s a suit that took a long time to put on. So, I’m so happy you said: ‘You bulked up,’ because when you say: ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell [I was wearing the suit]."Dwayne went on to reveal that as well as adding to his muscles, the suit also saved time because it meant he didn't have to spend hours in the make-up chair having the character's many tattoos painted on.

Moana 2 might be able to bank on nostalgia and beautiful animation but fans unanimously agree that it’s missing a huge factor that made the first movie a success. Lil-Manuel Miranda’s songs were the reason audiences of all age groups could connect with the characters in the previous movie.

However, not only did the makers deprive viewers of his presence but pre-recorded songs for the film were also cut. Moana star Auli’i Cravalho spoke about how they had to remove a lot of songs that were recorded for what originally was supposed to be a series. Not only fans but the actress also wishes for a happy ending for those songs she invested a lot of work in.

From animated series to unexpected theatrical release Still from Moana (2016) | Credits: Walt Disney Studios

Moana 2 was initially supposed to be released digitally as an animated series on Disney+. However,...

Moana 2 is eyeing a massive Thanksgiving weekend at the North American box office, and Disney's live-action adaptation of the first instalment - which has been dated for a 2026 release - is currently shooting in Hawaii.

Thanks to Just Jared, we now have a new look at newcomer Catherine Laga'aia in costume as Moana. Thus appears to be a recreation of an early scene in the original movie as Laga'aia was spotted talking to the ocean before seemingly being pushed back by the waves.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wasn't spotted as Maui, though we did recently get to see him transformed into the character he also voices in animation.

In a red carpet interview with Extra, the actor confirmed speculation that he donned a muscle suit to bring the demigod to life in live-action is correct.

"That’s a suit that took a long time to put on. So, I’m so happy you said,...

Dwayne Johnson is currently filming the live-action Moana movie, and while the actor is a big dude, he’s not quite Maui big. When set photos from the Moana remake emerged last week, fans were quick to notice that Johnson appeared to be wearing a tattooed bodysuit, which he has now confirmed.

“That’s a suit that took a long time to put on. So, I’m so happy you said, ‘You bulked up,’ because when you say, ‘You bulked up,’ that means you couldn’t tell,” Johnson told Extra. “That is a couple of hours every day of transforming, putting that on. We shot outside and when those pictures surfaced, I was like, ‘Sh*t, we got caught, ’cause we were putting up, like, walls so there was no paparazzi. But they got into boats and started shooting pictures. So, but I’m happy you liked it. I can’t wait.

Dwayne Johnson confirms that he's wearing a bodysuit in the live-action Moana. Johnson, who voiced the demigod Maui in both the animated movies, is also playing the character in the live-action adaptation. Set images saw buffed-up Dwayne in costume, matching Maui's iconic full-body tattoo and long curly hair. Since the images were revealed, fans have been speculating whether Dwayne has bulked up for the role or if he's wearing a bodysuit.

Johnson tells Extra TV that he was in fact wearing a suit. The actor reveals that the suit "took a long time to put on" and he spent "a couple of hours every day" transforming himself into Maui. The Rock stressed that they had "walls" put up to stop the paparazzi from leaking photos, but because filming took place outside, it was impossible to stop everyone. However, Johnson was happy to learn that people couldn't tell if he was wearing a suit.

Moana premiered in 2016 and until 2023, there were no details on how the story would continue. In April 2023, Dwayne Johnson confirmed there would be a live-action remake of the beloved animated film, which has now received an exciting update.

Per reelnewshawaii, production on the Moana live-action remake has wrapped. Johnson confirmed in February this year they cast an actress for the titular role, as Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced the character in the animated film, didn't reprise the role in the live-action version. The movie kicked off production in Hawaii and Atlanta on Aug. 2, under the working title Canon.

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Thomas Kail (Grease: Live) joined the project as director in May 2024, and Catherine Lagaaia was announced to play Moana in June. John Tui...

Do you smell what The Rock is cooking while on the set of Disney’s live-action remake of Moana? It smells like sweat-stained rubber mats, Creatine, and tequila. For real, though, I’ve had Dwayne Johnson’s tequila, and it’s delicious. Allow me to get to the point. Photos from the set of Disney’s live-action remake of Moana are making the rounds thanks to The Daily Mail, and people are questioning whether Johnson’s physique for the upcoming film is genuine. This query sounds ridiculous. Or does it?

While Dwayne Johnson is undoubtedly a behemoth who tirelessly works to keep himself tip-top, there’s something strange about his proportions in the newly leaked set photos. I’m not saying The Rock is wearing a body suit for sure, but his costume strategically hides telltale areas of the body that would otherwise reveal body suit seams. He could easily...

As we first reported on Toonado.com, a second wave of set photos for the upcoming live-action Moana remake has just surfaced (via Mail Online) and these feature a much closer look at Catherine Laga'aia's title character and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Maui.

After seeing the blurry shots from yesterday, many fans quickly pointed out that it looked like the pro wrestler had somehow bulked up to portray a real-life version of the character he first voiced for 2016's Disney Animation hit.

Well, it turns out the actor has donned a muscle suit. This is a little ironic, particularly as many felt Johnson was taking a shot at Zachary Levi for wearing one in Shazam! while promoting Black Adam (he captioned a social media post by saying, "this is not your typical DC or Marvel padded muscle suit").

Maui has a very specific build, though, and it seems...

Moana prepares to enter the real world as the Disney film's live-action remake is on the horizon. The first set of images from the upcoming adaptation show Dwayne Johnson's Maui and his trusted weapon as production ramps up.

Via Cosmic Media on X (formerly Twitter), a pair of behind-the-scenes photos from Moana filming shows Johnson sporting Maui's flowing long hair and outfit, with the acclaimed actor making his best live impression of the shape-shifting demigod. Meanwhile, another set image from the live-action movie sees the crew holding Maui's trusted Manaiakalani, his big fishhook and notable weapon of choice from the animated films.

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pic.twitter.com/LtTUJjSpVj Cosmic Media (@CosmicMMedia) November 20, 2024 Our first look behind...

Despite receiving largely mixed reviews for many of its live-action remakes, Disney continues to forge ahead with more adaptations of its most beloved classics. Next up is 2026's Moana, a reimagining of the 2016 movie that follows this Thanksgiving's animated Moana 2.

While Auli'i Cravalho will continue voicing the Disney Animation Moana, she'll pass the reins to newcomer Catherine Laga'aia for this live-action redo, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reprising his role as Maui.

Cravalho's recasting makes sense due to her age, though it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the character given the way the pro wrestler made the demigod his own.

As we first reported on Toonado.com, a first look at Johnson on set alongside Laga'aia has surfaced on social media today. Rocking the tattoos, long hair, and grass skirt, the actor looks like he's stepped straight out of the 2016 animated movie...even if it is a little...

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is known for many an action film, and he has several projects around the corner.

The first, an action Christmas movie Red One (2024), out in theaters Nov. 15 and not to be confused for Netflix’s Red Notice (2021) in which Johnson also stars. The actor and professional wrestler will also soon reprise his voice role of demigod Maui in Moana 2 before he also plays the live-action version of the mischievous character in the film directed by Thomas Kail.

For an extensive list of other Dwayne Johnson movies, read below:...

Ahead of its upcoming sequel, Moana is still going strong on streaming for Disney, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. Although the company recently released several record-breaking films, including Deadpool & Wolverine, it seems audiences can't stop putting the family-friendly animated film starring Dwayne Johnson and Aulii Cravalho on their television screen. Moana, which garnered nearly $700 million at the box office,

According to Bloomberg, Moana has been not only the most streamed title from Disney, it's one of the most popular films on any platform. Since Disney+ debuted in 2019, Moana has been one of the four most-watched movies on the streamer, with over 80 billion minutes logged by its loyal and growing fanbase. In other words, as Bloomberg puts it, that number is "the equivalent of seeing the picture 748 million times." That is an unthinkable number of people watching Moana over and over again, making the upcoming sequel on pace...

Strong winds are benefiting Moana 2 as it sails into shore.

The Walt Disney Animation Studios tentpole set records Monday in terms of first-day advance ticket sales, according to online retailer Fandango.

It sold more tickets than any other 2024 animated film, including fellow Disney/Pixar summer 2024 blockbuster Inside Out 2. It’s also the fourth-best showing of the year among any movie behind Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked and Dune: Part 2. (It’s no wonder why box office observers have bequeathed the sequel with its own special moniker: “Moanapocalpyse.”)

The event pic hits theaters on Nov. 27, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and five days after Paramount’s Gladiator II and Universal’s Wicked open nationwide in North America. Theater owners are counting on the trio of highly anticipated tentpoles to shore up ticket sales after a tough start to the third quarter.

David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller directed the animated feature,...

Quick Links Dwayne Johnson Is Coming Back for the Remake Thomas Kail Will Be Directing Moana Moana Has a Global Release Date

Continuing the joyous streak of live-action remakes, Disney is set to bring Moana back to screens once again. The original animation came out in 2016 and was praised for exploring a different culture, as well as making the leading princess independent and courageous. The narrative follows the titular character on her adventure to save her people against the wishes and worry of her father, Chief Tui. Having to set sail beyond the reef brought back memories for Tui, which resulted in his friend losing his life. Therefore, Moana was forbidden to do so. However, she was more concerned with the welfare of the village, knowing that if she restored the heart of Te Fiti, life would be better. The ocean had chosen her to do so, and, with encouragement from her Gramma Tala,...

It was a star-studded outing at Tory Burch‘s fashion show held during New York Fashion Week.

Elizabeth Olsen, Mindy Kaling, and Joey King were among the celebs sitting in the front row at the event on Monday night (September 9) at Skylight at the Refinery in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Some of the other celebs in attendance included Michelle Williams, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lola Tung, Maude Apatow, Kiki Layne, and VP Kamala Harris‘ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff, among others.

“The synchronicity of movement and form. This collection began with the essence of sport: power and grace, precision and freedom,” fashion designer Tory Burch said in a statement about the collection.

Joey and Michelle previously worked together on the movie Oz The Great and Powerful and Joey recently worked with Michelle‘s husband Thomas Kail on the Hulu series We Were the Lucky Ones. The couple attended Joey‘s Mallorca wedding one year ago!

In the first full trailer for Moana 2, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) are back in full force. The new look was unveiled to thunderous applause at D23 Friday, where Johnson and Cravalho were onhand for a musical performance from the movie.

“Maui is singing again. Singing in keys that don’t exist. And my hair looks fantastic in Moana 2,” Johnson told the crowd.

Fellow returning voice performers Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger and Alan Tudyk are also among the cast for the movie.

David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand direct the movie that was originally slated as a Disney+ series before Disney’s chief Bob Iger revealed that the production would be changing course to a full-fledged feature film sequel.

A teaser trailer was released earlier this year, and the directors debuted footage at the Annecy Animation festival. At the time, Derrick offered of the film...

Dwayne Johnson will be returning for a new version of Moana, that’s going to start filming shortly: more on Disney’s remake here.

Disney has clearly decided to stick its foot on the accelerator when it comes to making a few more quid out of the glorious animated film Moana. Appreciating there’s a lot of Encanto fans out there, for my money Moana is the last flat-out brilliant film from Walt Disney Animation Studios we’ve seen. I’ve enjoyed much of its output since, but this feels a high bar.

This winter, a film that was looking like it was going to streaming at one point – Moana 2 – arrives in cinemas. It’s suspiciously light on the lead creatives from the first film, but early signs are on the positive side. Then of course there’s the decision to remake the first film in some form of live action,...

Moana star Dwayne Johnson has shared a major update about Disneys upcoming live-action film adaptation of the acclaimed 2016 animated movie. Johnson will be reprising his fan-favorite role as Maui in both the upcoming animated sequel and the live-action Moana movie.

Posted on Instagram, Johnson confirmed that production on the live-action Moana movie is currently scheduled to start sometime in August, three months before the animated sequel arrives in theaters on Nov. 27. He also expressed his excitement at getting the chance to continue to highlight Polynesian culture with the upcoming live-action adaptation. "Its our deepest honor to share the legends, songs, dances and traditions of our Polynesian culture with all of you and your families around the world," Johnson wrote. "Production begins this August."

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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has shared an update on the "exciting and inspiring" live-action 'Moana' movie.The 52-year-old actor previously voiced demigod Maui in the 2016 Disney animated film 'Moana' and he will reprise his role in the upcoming live-action film, alongside Catherine Laga‘aia as the titular character.He wrote on Instagram: "Exciting and inspiring casting news as we begin to bring together our Live Action Moana Family. "Catherine Laga’Aia As Moana, @JohnTui1 As Cheif Tui, @FrankieAdams As Sina, @RenaOwen As Gramma Tala. And yours truly, as the demigod Maui "It’s our deepest honor to share the legends, songs, dances and traditions of our Polynesian culture with all of you and your families around the world. Production begins this August."#MOANALiveAction In theaters July 10, 2026! Directed by Thomas Kail. Music by Lin Manuel Miranda."Disney recently announced that 17-year-old actress Laga‘aia - who has Samoan...

The Fourth of July is here, and with America’s birthday comes always the need to get in the patriotic spirit. There are many ways to do that of course. Fireworks are forever the go-to event; backyard barbecues and grills with hot dogs and hamburgers is another. But sometimes you might just want a bit of celluloid magic to remind you why you should care in the first place.

Whether you’re looking for a comedy or a drama, some ‘80s “USA, USA” cheese, or a genuine exploration of America’s founding, we’ve got you covered with a list of some of the most patriotic of American movies. Enjoy.

1776 (1972)

Let’s begin with the best movie about why today is called “Independence Day:” 1776. While there have been other movies about the Second Continental Congress’ travails during those sweltering days in the summer of ’76, none have truthfully been as...

Moana is getting a live-action remake with Thomas Kail directing and a cast including Dwayne Johnson. The original characters like Maui and Moana will be brought back in the 2026 remake. Disney has been successful with live-action remakes, and there's a market for reimagined classics.

Moana is getting the live-action treatment, and the remake will see the return of the mythological and human cast of characters. The Disney playbook of adapting its historic catalog of animated movies into live-action "reimaginings" has been immensely successful in theaters and on Disney Plus. Disney has produced many live-action movie remakes of its classic animated features. Some of these remakes have been hits at the box office, like The Lion King, which grossed $1.7 billion (via Box Office Mojo). While these movies may feel uninspired, there's a market and an audience for live-action versions of classic animated films.

Thomas Kail is set to direct the live-action remake of Moana,...

After attempting to change the hierarchy of power in the DC universe as Black Adam, Dwayne Johnson has officially jumped ship to Disney.

Variety reports that Seven Bucks Productions, the film and TV content label founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia, has signed a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company to develop films for theatrical and streaming.

Though no specific titles are mentioned, it's said that the projects will be possible vehicles for Johnson to star in, and the deal is not strictly limited to filmed content. Most interestingly, the multi-year agreement will also give Seven Bucks a chance to collaborate across all Disney divisions.

Yes, that includes Marvel Studios and Star Wars/Lucasfilm, as well as Disney Animation, Pixar, and 20th Century Studios.

Johnson has starred in Disney projects in the past, of course, including Jungle Cruise and Moana (he's set to reprise his role as Maui in...

Disney’s Moana has found its new lead and that’s Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old Australian actress. She will star alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson who voiced the demigod Maui in the 2016 animated film.

Moana (2016) / Walt Disney Studios

Before the studio had cast Laga’aia, fans had been speculating whether original actress Auli’i Cravalho would return in the titular role. Later on, she revealed turning down the part due to issues with the accuracy of representation.

Disney Casts Catherine Laga’aia As Moana In Live-Action Movie

In a statement acquired by Variety, Catherine Laga’aia expressed her enthusiasm for being chosen to lead Disney’s live-action version of Moana. Revealing her “grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i” and her “grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai,” the actress takes pride in her heritage.

I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites… I...

Dwayne Johnson and his Seven Bucks Productions, co-founded by Dany Garcia, have signed a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company.

The agreement will see Johnson and Garcia develop films for theatrical and streaming platforms, with Johnson to potentially star in the projects. The multi-year deal will also allow Seven Bucks to collaborate across Disney divisions.

Johnson and Disney have worked together before, including on the 2021 theme park ride-inspired Jungle Cruise that also starred Emily Blunt, and two seasons of Behind the Attraction for Disney+. This November, Johnson will return in the voice role of the grandiose demigod Maui in Moana 2, Walt Disney Animation’s sequel.

The latest trailer for Moana 2 broke records for Disney animation as it earned 178 million views in just 24 hours. Moana is a cornerstone movie for Disney, as the 2016 feature – which grossed more than $687 million at the worldwide box office — has been among top...

As we know, Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced the title character in the animated movie, will not be making the jump to live-action, and Disney has now announced that Catherine Laga‘aia will be taking over as Moana in the upcoming remake.

The press release states that the 17-year-old Aussie actress will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said the up-and-coming star. “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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

New supporting cast member have also been announced, with Auckland, New...

Catherine Laga‘aia has been set to play ‘Moana’ in the live-action adaptation alongside Dwayne Johnson.

As previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced larger-than-life demigod Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role. the cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, Nz, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala.

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The live-action adventure will bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure.

The production begins filming this summer. The movie is produced by Johnson,...

Make way, make way... we have some Moana news! Just a couple of weeks ago, we shared with you the first trailer for Disney's upcoming animated sequel Moana 2, and now we've got the latest update on Thomas Kail's hotly anticipated live-action remake of the House of Mouse's animated smash. In a post shared on Twitter/X earlier tonight, Walt Disney Studios announced that 17-year-old Australian newcomer Catherine Laga'aia is set to play Moana in the film, which starts production this summer. Check out the announcement below;

And as you can see, it's not just Laga'aia who is getting ready to set sail in Disney's new seafaring adventure, either. John Tui is set to play Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams will take on the role of Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen will be bringing Moana's Gramma Tala to life in the film. They all join Dwayne Johnson,...

Disney’s live-action remake of Moana has finally found its star. Catherine Laga‘aia will take on the titular role, starring opposite Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his character as the demigod Maui.

The original musical film released in 2016, and has become a beloved narrative in Disney’s arsenal of animated stories. A separate, animated sequel to Moana was announced last month and is due out Nov. 27.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said the 17-year-old from Sydney, Australia, in a statement.

While Moana 2 will set sail in theaters this fall, Disney’s live-action version of the island tale still has some time before it releases in theaters on July 10, 2026.

Casting choices have been made for Thomas Kail’s live-action installment of the epic adventure, with five major characters set to bring the animated characters to life on the big screen. Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the princess in the 2016 film, will not reprise the role in the live-action version, but Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui in both animated movies, will portray the live-action demigod.

Names have also been revealed for Moana’s very serious father Chief Tui, her determined mother Sina and her gentle and respected grandmother Tala. The live action film heads into production this summer.

Related: Thomas Kail On Hitting The Heights On Stage, TV & Movies From ‘Hamilton’ To ‘We Were The Lucky Ones’ To Upcoming Live-Action ‘Moana’ – Behind...

Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana will kick off production this summer, and the studio announced today that Catherine Laga’aia will star as the title character alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” Laga’aia said in the press release. “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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.“

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Joining Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson in the live-action Moana movie will be John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother,...

It has just been announced that Disney has found the actress to play the live-action version of Moana opposite Dwayne Johnson’s Maui.

17-year-old Catherine Laga’aia will play Moana. She hails from Sydney, Australia, and she is excited to play a character representative of your Pacific Island heritage.

Here’s what she said,

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites. 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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

The live-action film is set to start this summer. It will be directed by Thomas Kail based on a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. Bush wrote the original “Moana” as well.

(Pictured): Catherine Laga’aia. Photo by Alexei Hay. © 2024 Alexei Hay. All Rights Reserved.

Catherine Laga‘aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action “Moana.” “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. “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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

The cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands,...

After an extensive search, Disney has found the next Moana. Newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia will star as the titular character in the remake of the 2016 hit animated film. The 17-year-old actor hails from Sydney, Australia, and joins Dwayne Johnson in the feature, reprising his role as demigod Maui.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said Laga‘aia 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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

Laga‘aia picks up the role from Auli‘i Cravalho, who voice starred in the 2016 original and will executive produce the remake. She is said to be mentoring the younger actor in the role.

Disney has just announced who will be playing the live-action version of the title role in the Moana remake. other cast members for the live-action Moana movie have also been revealed.

Officially, Catherine Laga'aia, a 17-year-old from Sydney, Australia, has been cast as Moana in the live-action adaptation of the popular animated film. She takes over the role of Auli'i Cravalho, who voices Moana in the animated Disney movies. In a statement, Laga'aia shared why she feels that her casting is so meaningful.

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Im really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites, she said. My grandfather comes from Faaala, Palauli, in Savaii. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of Upolu in Samoa. Im honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples,...

Disney has cast Catherine Laga‘aia in the title role of its live-action Moana movie, which is set to be released in theaters on July 10, 2026. Moana 2, the animated sequel, is opening in theaters the Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native said. “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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

Disney also announced that New Zealander John Tui will play Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams will play Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, Nz, was...

Disney’s live-action “Moana” has found its new leading lady: Catherine Laga‘aia will star opposite Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui, in the highly anticipated film.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said Laga‘aia, a 17-year-old from Sydney, Australia. “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. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

Also joining Laga‘aia and Johnson in the cast are Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actor Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, as the revered Gramma Tala. The...

When Georgia Hunter first pitched her 2017 book, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” about her Polish ancestors’ fight for survival during the Holocaust, she was told World War II literature was a “saturated” market. This wasn’t meant to dissuade her from pushing forward with their harrowing story, but rather acknowledge that there is never a shortage of novels, films and series trying to reckon with the everlasting wounds of the war.

It was no different when Hunter and producers Thomas Kail and Erica Lipez adapted the book into Hulu’s eight-part limited series, which premiered in March.

“We knew with this kind of story in particular, you have to go beyond the logline,” Lipez tells Variety. “It was so much about making sure people heard the full story, particularly when we were pitching it. As someone who thought they had a really good Holocaust education, what I knew immediately upon...

As a kid, I adored my grandfather. I knew he loved chocolate (the dark kind) and hated ketchup. I knew he enjoyed a good pun and could speak seven languages — around the dinner table it was French. I knew his Steinway was his happy place, and that he made many of the things in his home by hand (like the curtains that hung in his living room, woven on a loom he built in his basement).

What I didn’t know about my grandfather was that he grew up one of five siblings in a town in central Poland called Radom; or that he was raised in the Jewish faith; or that he, his parents and his siblings were Holocaust survivors. These were truths I learned at 15, a year after he died, thanks to a high school English assignment and an interview with my grandmother Caroline.

The discovery sparked a lot of questions.

In this edition of THR Frontrunners, Emmy-nominated actress Joey King joins Tyler Coates for a conversation about her lead role in Hulu’s limited series We Were the Lucky Ones at a live event hosted by the San Vicente Bungalows in Los Angeles.

“I’ve never really experienced anything like it,” says King of the show, based on the novel by Georgia Hunter and inspired by her relatives’ stories of survival during World War II and the Holocaust. “I’ve played so many interesting people, and I’m just so grateful for all the things I’ve ever done. But there is something so specifically emotional and just deep-rooted, tied to this project for me.”

The show follows the Kurcs, a close-knit family of Polish Jews who lived peaceful lives in Radom despite the rise of antisemitism in the country ahead of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. But once Hitler’s army enters Poland,...

Thanksgiving may be months away, but audiences are already getting ready to feast on Moana 2.

A trailer for the movie was viewed by 178 million people in its first 24 hours this week, more than any other trailer for a film in the history of Disney’s animated empire, which is made up of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. (Moana is from Disney Animation.)

In terms of trailer viewership, the previous record for Pixar was Inside Out 2 (157 million), and the best for Disney Animation was Frozen 2 (116 million). The Moana 2 trailer also came in above Pixar’s Incredibles 2 (113 million).

The Moana 2 trailer will play before Inside Out 2, which opens in theaters June 14. The upcoming Pixar sequel is tracking to open to $80 million-$85 million, although one service believes it will cross $90 million. Both films are good news for Disney’s animation empire, as Pixar, in particular, has been struggling.