The female lead of the live-action movie "Moana" is confirmed to be released in July 2026

More than a year after Disney announced it was adapting the 2016 animated film Moana into a live-action film, the company today announced that Australian actress Katherine Lagaia will star in the film's title role.

Disney revealed in a press release that Lagaia will play an adventurous boy in the live-action version of "Moana", which will be released on July 10, 2026.

"I'm really excited to play this role because Moana is one of my favorites," said Lagaia. "My grandfather is from Faala, Palaule, Savai'i. My grandmother is from Lelumoega, Tua, on the main island of Samoa. I'm so honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Islanders and represent those little girls who are like me."

Disney announced the live-action Moana film in April 2023 and confirmed that Dwayne Johnson will return to the project and reprise the role of Maui, whom Johnson voiced in the original animation.

In addition to Johnson and Lagaia, New Zealand actor John Tui will play Mona's father Chief Tui, Frankie Adams will play Mona's mother Sina, and Rena Owen will play Grandmother Tara. The three New Zealand actors will join the starring duo when filming begins this summer.