Catherine Lagia stars in Disney's live‑action Moana

Australian teenager Catherine Lagia was chosen from more than 32,000 candidates to play the title role in Disney's live‑action adaptation of "Moana and the Legend of the Sea." While filming in Japan she balanced schoolwork with a demanding shooting schedule, attending classes in a trailer and completing exams before heading to the water tank sets. Her father, actor Jay Lagia – known for playing Captain Typho in the Star Wars prequels – coached her during audition tapes and offered industry advice.

The film opened in Japan on 31 July 2026, featuring a Japanese voice cast that includes TSUZUMI as Moana and Matsuya Oonoue reprising the role of Maui alongside Dwayne Johnson. Directed by Thomas Kail and with music overseen by Lin‑Manuel Miranda, the production highlights Polynesian culture through new arrangements of the original songs.