Catherine Lagaʻaia is Live action Moana

[PopGeeks]

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Catherine Lagaʻaia is the new Moana, and Disney’s teaser proves she could really carry the role. She stands on a cliff, sings “How Far I’ll Go”, and the sea seems to listen.

The teaser opens wide: lush Polynesian islands, coconut palms swaying, and Moana dragging her hand across a canoe — very “I’m meant for more than this lagoon” vibes. Then we flash back to her childhood — she plays with the ocean and a conch shell floats to her, like a calling. Her people dances, rafts sail, and she finds a mysterious carving. Suddenly, the Kakamora — tiny, armored coconut pirates — attack. She fights them off.

We also get a glimpse of Maui, played by The Rock. He leaps from a cliff, wields his fishhook, and shapeshifts into an eagle. No full reveal, just enough to tease his power. Moana then declares, “I am Moana.” Hei Hei, her rooster, blinks on for a second — cartoonish as ever. The teaser ends with July 10, 2026 as the release date.

MOANA Teaser (2026)

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A Franchise That’s Already Proven Itself​

Catherine Lagaʻaia may be new, but she joins a franchise with serious box‑office muscle. The original Moana (2016) hauled in around $687 million worldwide. That’s no small feat for an animated original.

Its sequel, Moana 2 (2024), did even better. It smashed past $1 billion globally, becoming one of Disney Animation’s biggest hits. It opened with a record Thanksgiving weekend and racked up more than $442 million domestically and $567 million internationally.

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Why Catherine Lagaʻaia’s Casting Feels Right​

Disney cast Catherine Lagaʻaia, a young Polynesian actress. She may not be famous yet, but she fits Moana both culturally and emotionally. It doesn’t feel like a random stunt to grab attention — she just works.

This sensible casting avoids the kind of backlash that plagued other live-action princess remakes. Instead of trying to force a “big name” or ignoring cultural roots, they got someone who belongs in the story.

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Auliʻi Cravalho: From Voice Actor to Producer​

Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original and the sequel, isn’t acting in this live-action remake. But she’s not gone — she’s an executive producer.

She explained that she wants to make room for another young Polynesian actress. After launching her career as a teenager, she’s deliberately passing the torch. It’s a graceful, smart move.

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Do We Really Need Another​

Let’s be honest. The original Moana came out less than a decade ago. The sequel only landed a few years back. Some might legitimately ask: why remake it so soon?

There’s no simple answer. On one hand, the remake feels a little unnecessary. On the other, it gives Catherine Lagaʻaia a platform, reaffirms Disney’s respect for the source material, and introduces the story to audiences who might’ve missed the original.

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Why This Remake Could Actually Work​

The teaser teases longing, adventure, and danger. There’s the ocean bond. There are the Kakamora. There’s Maui — mysterious, powerful, and a little dramatic. And yes, Hei Hei makes that brief cameo.

With Catherine Lagaʻaia leading — backed by Cravalho’s thoughtful involvement — the remake feels like it’s built for more than just nostalgia. It could actually earn its place.

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Final Thoughts​

Catherine Lagaʻaia doesn’t need to be a star yet. She just needs to be the right Moana. With solid box office history behind the franchise, smart casting, and a teaser that promises both heart and action, this live-action Moana might just be a remake worth caring about.

 

[Vic]

At least they didn’t cast a white actress this time, and there’s no race swapping involved. That’s a relief because some of the other live-action princess remakes failed mainly due to experimenting with race swapping. Changing a character’s race, whether it’s whitewashing or bending for diversity, often causes backlash and distracts from the story. Here, Disney stuck to the character’s cultural roots, and it makes a big difference. Catherine Lagaʻaia feels authentic as Moana, and that respect for the source material is exactly what these adaptations need to succeed.

 

[Shin Gouki]

Thank god The Rock didn’t push his daughter Ava or his cousin Nia Jax into this. We all know how quick he is to use nepotism in WWE, so it would’ve been predictable and embarrassing if he tried the same here. Maybe this time he’s finally realizing the movie isn’t about him or his family. It’s about Moana, and Catherine Lagaʻaia deserves the spotlight without any unnecessary Rock-family drama stealing it.

 

[Carly]

I genuinely hope this young actress doesn’t get dragged through the same nonsense that Halle Bailey and Rachel Zegler faced. She’s barely starting out, and being a teenager in such a high-profile role is already enough pressure. But honestly, she might dodge that kind of hate because Disney actually got it right this time — no race swapping, and she fits the character culturally. That alone changes the conversation; people are less likely to nitpick her appearance and more likely to focus on her performance. I just hope she gets to grow into the role without all the social media attacks that can ruin a young actor’s confidence.

 

[Norelle]

Does this movie even need a remake? The original isn’t even a decade old, and the sequel only came out a few years ago. Usually, remakes are for classics that didn’t age well or need a modern update. Moana already has strong animation, a great story, and a sequel that expanded the world. It feels like Disney is remaking it mostly for the live-action trend rather than because it actually needed one. I’m not sure this one is necessary.

 

[Nikka_743]

You know, the only way this live‑action Moana doesn’t end up as a flop is if The Rock doesn’t turn it into his own vanity project. After Black Adam bombed — it grossed about $393 million on a crazy big budget.And now that his serious biopic The Smashing Machine flopped hard too — worst opening of his career. He’s probably banking on this being a career rescue. And if Moana becomes a hit? Don’t be shocked if he tries to pitch a Maui spin-off instead of remaking the sequel. He’s done this before — always making it about himself.

 

[Terry Beetle]

I really hope Catherine Lagaʻaia gets proper media training before the promotion for this Moana remake. Social media can be extremely unforgiving, especially for young actors who are suddenly in the spotlight. There are people who will look for anything to criticize, particularly those who oppose diversity or “woke” casting choices, and I don’t want her to experience the kind of harassment Rachel Zegler went through after her projects. It can be exhausting and emotionally damaging to deal with constant negative comments, misinterpretations, and personal attacks, especially when all she is doing is trying to perform her role authentically.


Having guidance on how to handle interviews, public appearances, and social media interactions is crucial. Learning how to stay professional, calm, and measured in her responses could protect her mental health and help her career survive the intense scrutiny that comes with being a lead in a major Disney film. It’s not just about avoiding controversy — it’s about building confidence so she can focus on her craft without fear. I hope Disney invests in strong support systems for her, including PR coaching, media strategy, and emotional support, because she deserves to shine as Moana without being targeted unfairly online. If she has the right preparation, she could set a positive example for future young actors in similar positions.

 

[Gwenn]

Catherine Lagaʻaia fits Moana naturally. The childhood scenes were touching, and the ocean interactions felt magical. The Kakamora sequence was brief, but it reminded me that this will be adventurous. Maui looked powerful, but not overbearing, and that is important for balance. Auliʻi Cravalho staying involved reassures me that the remake will maintain the original’s heart. I hope the final film delivers on this promise because the teaser suggests it could.

 

[JinnyGoesKrazy]

Please, everyone, do not attack or bully Catherine Lagaʻaia. She just turned 18, and she filmed this movie when she was only 16. She is still very young and deserves protection, not harassment. Some people online feel entitled to criticize and pressure young actors, but this is completely unfair. She is not a public servant or a politician — she is a teenager stepping into a major role, and she should be allowed to grow and perform without being targeted.

We have seen what happened to previous actresses who faced relentless social media attacks, and it was cruel and unnecessary. Catherine doesn’t deserve to go through the same thing. She is working hard, representing Polynesian culture, and trying to do her best. Attacking her will not help anything; it only harms someone who is still learning and growing in her career.

Everyone needs to remember that these are real people, not characters on a screen. You are grown adults — act like it. Be respectful, supportive, and considerate. This is her moment, and she should be able to enjoy it without fear of harassment. Criticism for her performance is one thing, but personal attacks and bullying are entirely unacceptable. Let her shine safely.

 

[Ube Donut]

Honestly, I’m not sure what to think about this movie yet. The teaser didn’t really reveal much beyond a few glimpses, so it's hard to get a solid sense of what the full film will be like. I get that it’s Moana, and the visuals look pretty good, but we haven’t seen much of the story or character dynamics in the trailer. What stood out to me, though, is that Catherine Lagaʻaia has a really good voice. Her singing in the teaser sounded strong, and it feels like she has the right emotional depth for the role. But beyond that, there’s not enough for me to form a full opinion on the movie. I'll need to see more before I can say if this remake will live up to the original.