Story perspectives

Disney's Live-Action Moana Debuts in Sydney, Stars Johnson, Scores 85

7/8/2026

Summary

Moana Premieres

Disney premiered its live-action Moana in Sydney on June 25, 2026, with Catherine Laga‘aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui.
Thomas Kail, Tony-winning director of Hamilton, directs the film.
Laga‘aia, a 19-year-old Sydney native of Samoan descent, was selected from over 32,000 audition tapes.
Critics gave the movie an 85/100 rating, praising performances, visuals, and its deeper focus on Polynesian culture.

Summary

Cravalho Unveils Song

New song “Along the Way” blends Auli'i Cravalho, original Moana; Catherine Laga’aia, new Moana; and Dwayne Johnson, Maui, written by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda and demoed by Hamilton alums Jasmine Cephas Jones and Phillipa Soo.
Production built a Motunui village set and filmed in Atlanta and Hawaii in 2024.
Auli'i Cravalho is executive producer while the cast features John Tui as Chief Tui and Jemaine Clement returns as Tamatoa.

Summary

Catherine Embraces Legacy

Catherine Laga‘aia said winning her father Jay Laga‘aia’s approval motivated her to take the Mo Moana role.
She joked she “inherited nepotism” because her dad played Captain Typho in Star Wars Episodes II and III.
After filming, she said the experience stopped her obsession with looks and voice and broadened her perspective.
The Moana film opens on July 10, 2026, and she hopes the role extends her family’s entertainment legacy and makes her father proud.

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Moana Premieres

Disney premiered its live-action Moana in Sydney on June 25, 2026, with Catherine Laga‘aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui.
Thomas Kail, Tony-winning director of Hamilton, directs the film.
Laga‘aia, a 19-year-old Sydney native of Samoan descent, was selected from over 32,000 audition tapes.
Critics gave the movie an 85/100 rating, praising performances, visuals, and its deeper focus on Polynesian culture.

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