A handful of Kiwi actors have been announced as part of the cast for the upcoming live-action version of Moana.
Rena Owen, John Tui and Frankie Adams will be joining Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who will reprise his role as the demigod Maui in the story about an adventurous teenager (Moana) who sails out on a daring mission to save her people.
Owen, best known for her role as Beth Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors, will play Gramma Tala — the eccentric storyteller from the island of Motunui and grandmother of Moana.
Tui will play Moana's no-nonsense father, Chief Tui, while Adams, a New Zealand Samoan, will play Moana's mother, Sina.
Adams said on Instagram: "I'm a proud Māmā! So honoured and grateful to be part of this team. This is truly surreal. OK, OK I'm off to have another joyful cry and get ready for my trip to Motonui!"
Moana will be played by 17-year-old Australian actress Catherine Laga'aia.
"I'm honoured to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples and to represent young girls who look like me," she said in a statement released by Disney.
Directed by Thomas Kail, the film will hit cinemas on July 10, 2026.
"Moana will bring to life in a whole new way the story of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure, the production begins filming this summer," Disney said.
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