14 Jun – Disney has now the perfect girl to play the role of Moana in the live-action version of their hit animated feature of the same name. Newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, who hails from Sydney, Australia, has been cast to play the titular character alongside Dwayne Johnson, who will reprise his role as the demigod Maui. "I'm really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites," said Laga'aia, in a statement released to the media.
"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 honoured to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me." Laga'aia is also the daughter of actor and singer Jay Laga'aia, who played Captain Typho in the Star Wars prequel movies. Joining Laga'aia and Johnson are New Zealander actor John Tui as Moana's father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actor Frankie Adams as Moana's mother, Sina; and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. The movie will be helmed by Thomas Kail of "Hamilton" fame.