Meet Every Character in Disney's Live-Action 'Moana': Catherine Lagaʻaia, Dwayne Johnson, and the Voyagers of Motunui

Disney's live-action Moana sails into theaters July 10, 2026, led by newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. D23 has introduced the full cast of characters — from Chief Tui and Gramma Tala to Tamatoa, Te Fiti, and the Kakamora — along with a new Lin-Manuel Miranda song, 'Along The Way.'

Disney's live-action Moana sails into theaters July 10, 2026, and D23 has introduced the full cast of characters bringing the island of Motunui to life — led by newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and newly named Disney Legend Dwayne Johnson, reprising Maui in live action. Directed by Hamilton's Thomas Kail, the reimagining of the Oscar-nominated 2016 animated adventure features new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, including the original song "Along The Way."

Moana, the Ocean's Chosen Voyager (Catherine Lagaʻaia)

An adventurous, brave, and passionate 16-year-old, Moana is constantly drawn to the water surrounding Motunui. As the determined daughter of Chief Tui, she is groomed to lead her people — and told never to sail beyond the reef. But when a destructive force threatens the island, Moana defies her father and answers the Ocean's call, setting out to restore prosperity to her people.

"Being able to step into the legacy that Auliʻi and Dwayne created is a real blessing. And for me, getting to represent the Pacific Islands, and specifically Samoa, where my father is from, is something I've always dreamed of doing — the fact that I get to in this film is an incredible honor." — Catherine Lagaʻaia

Lagaʻaia described an intense audition process: weeks of script work with her father and singing rehearsals with her brother Sefa, who stepped in as her vocal coach as she shaped her own version of the character first voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho.

Maui, the Shape-Shifting Demigod (Dwayne Johnson)

Larger-than-life Maui wields a magical fishhook and thrives on heroics and applause. Beneath the bravado lies a complicated past: banished to solitude after stealing the heart of the mother island Te Fiti, he is unaware of the darkness he accidentally unleashed — and it takes hundreds of years, plus one extremely determined teenager, for him to get the chance to set things right.

"What makes Maui so meaningful to me is that not only does it represent our Polynesian cultures, but Maui distinctly represents my grandfather, the late High Chief Peter Maivia... It represents legacy, life, pride and culture." — Dwayne Johnson

The Family of Motunui

Chief Tui (John Tui)

Moana's uncompromising father is the gregarious, well-respected leader of Motunui. He recognizes his daughter's strength and grooms her as his successor, but her connection to the ocean — and her longing for the world beyond the reef — troubles him deeply. Singing was new territory for the actor, who credits director Thomas Kail and vocal supervisor Alex Lacamoire with pushing him past the fear: "I was there singing in the booth, and I found another gear I didn't know I had."

Gramma Tala (Rena Owen)

Moana's confidant and guiding light shares her granddaughter's special connection to the ocean. While her son Chief Tui is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala dances to the beat of her own drum, holding back the long-hidden secrets of their wayfinding ancestors until the time is right. "It's the greatest privilege to be Gramma Tala," says Owen, who is of Māori and European descent. "She's also that voice inside — you listen to that voice because it's who you are. Gramma Tala, she's pure heart."

Sina (Frankie Adams)

Moana's playful, strong-willed, and perceptive mother always has her daughter's back. Sina appreciates Moana's longing to be on the water, but like her hard-headed husband, she wants to protect her from the fabled dangers beyond the reef. Above all, she trusts Moana to make the right decisions.

The Animal Companions

Pua

Moana's adorable, loyal pet pig exudes puppy-like energy. Endlessly supportive, guileless, and sweet, Pua would follow Moana anywhere if given the chance.

Heihei

The lovably clueless rooster stumbles from one near-accident to the next. When Heihei accidentally stows away on Moana's canoe, he lands a front-row seat on her epic journey — and somehow always ends up exactly where he's needed.

Gods, Monsters, and Menaces of the Open Ocean

Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement)

Tamatoa — a self-absorbed, treasure-obsessed 50-foot crab — lurks in the realm of monsters known as Lalotai. Wanting to be more than a drab little crab, the conceited crustacean covers himself in all things shiny, guards an ever-growing hoard of glitzy artifacts, and holds a nasty grudge against Maui. Among his treasures: the demigod's magical fishhook.

Te Fiti

The mother island is a life-giving goddess who embodies creation itself. Te Fiti's heart holds the power of life — a gift she shares with the world, until Maui steals it in hopes of winning love and adoration, unknowingly unleashing a terrible darkness across the region.

Te Kā

Te Kā is a massive, terrifying demon of earth and fire. As Gramma Tala tells it, the lava monster awoke when Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti and battled the demigod for the treasure — and when the heart was lost to the sea, Te Kā's fiery rage only grew.

The Kakamora

The Kakamora are wild, coconut-armored nomads drifting the ocean on a flotsam-covered vessel. Small but ruthless, they will stop at nothing to get what they want — and Maui sits at the top of their most-wanted list.

What This Means for Disney Fans

A decade after the animated original became a modern Disney classic, the live-action Moana is shaping up as a full-circle affair: Auliʻi Cravalho executive produces and lends her voice to the new song, Dwayne Johnson returns to the character that honors his grandfather, and a largely Pacific Islander cast brings Motunui to the screen. With Lin-Manuel Miranda back writing songs alongside original collaborators Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, expect the music to be a headliner too. Moana opens exclusively in theaters July 10, 2026.