The Moana Cast: Full List Of Stars In The 2024 Sequel And 2026 Live-Action Remake

The world of Motunui is expanding faster than the waves Moana sails on, with two massive projects—an animated sequel and a live-action remake—set to redefine the beloved Disney franchise. As of today, December 12, 2025, the casting news for both *Moana 2* and the highly anticipated *Live-Action Moana* has brought a fresh wave of excitement, confirming both the return of fan-favorite voices and the introduction of a new generation of talent from the Pacific Islands.

The decision to greenlight both a direct animated sequel and a live-action adaptation simultaneously is a unique strategy by Disney, ensuring that the magic of Moana's journey continues in multiple formats. This article provides the definitive, up-to-date guide to every star, new and old, who will be bringing these oceanic adventures to life, from the voice booth of the 2024 sequel to the shores of the 2026 remake.

The Original Voices Return: Full Cast and Plot Details for Moana 2 (2024)

The animated sequel, *Moana 2*, is set to release in theaters in November 2024, continuing the story of Moana and Maui three years after their initial adventure. The film was originally conceived as a Disney+ series but was elevated to a theatrical release, underscoring the confidence Disney has in the franchise. The core cast from the original 2016 film is confirmed to return, ensuring a seamless continuation of the characters we know and love.

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Auli'i Cravalho: Moana

• Role: Moana (Voice)
• Nationality: American (Hawaiian heritage)
• Recent Projects: Since her breakout role, Cravalho has continued her career in film and on stage. She starred in the 2024 musical film *Mean Girls* and made her Broadway debut in *Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club*. She is also an Executive Producer on the upcoming live-action film.

Dwayne Johnson: Maui

• Role: Maui (Voice)
• Nationality: American (Samoan heritage)
• Recent Projects: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson remains one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Beyond his return as Maui in both the sequel and the live-action remake, his upcoming slate includes *Jumanji 3*, *Fast and Furious 11*, and the dramatic film *The Smashing Machine*. He is also developing a new Hawaii-themed reality series.

Key Returning Supporting Cast

The heart of Motunui will beat strong with the return of Moana's family and the wise elders of the village:

• Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui: Moana's no-nonsense, yet loving, father and the chief of Motunui.
• Nicole Scherzinger as Sina: Moana's supportive and empathetic mother.
• Rachel House as Grandma Tala: The beloved, eccentric grandmother who serves as Moana's spiritual guide.
• Alan Tudyk as Hei Hei: The voice of the dim-witted but lovable rooster.

New Characters in Moana 2

The sequel will introduce new allies and a formidable antagonist as Moana ventures into new, dangerous waters.

• Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea: A new character joining Moana's wayfinding crew.
• The Villain Nalo: The sequel's plot revolves around Moana facing a dangerous deity named Nalo, who has set a new curse in place, or a quest to find the lost island of Motufetu after receiving a call from her ancestors.

The New Generation: Full Cast of the Live-Action Moana (2026)

The live-action remake, scheduled for theatrical release on July 10, 2026, has seen the most dramatic casting news. While Dwayne Johnson is set to physically portray Maui, a newcomer has been chosen to take on the titular role, a move that honors Disney's commitment to finding authentic talent from the Pacific Islands.

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Catherine Laga'aia: Moana

The role of Moana will be played by 17-year-old Australian actress, Catherine Laga'aia. Her casting was announced in June 2024, marking her first major feature film role.

• Age: 17 (at the time of casting announcement)
• Heritage: Samoan-Australian
• Family Connection: Catherine is the daughter of New Zealand-Australian actor and singer Jay Laga'aia, who is famous for roles like Captain Typho in the *Star Wars* prequels and Draco in *Xena: Warrior Princess*.
• Significance: Her selection continues the tradition of casting a young actress of Polynesian descent for the role, following in the footsteps of Auli'i Cravalho.

Dwayne Johnson: Maui

In a rare move for a live-action remake, Dwayne Johnson will physically reprise his role as the demigod Maui, who he voiced in the original animated film.

Supporting Cast for the Live-Action Remake

The cast for the live-action film is stacked with celebrated actors of Pacific heritage, ensuring the cultural authenticity of the production.

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• Rena Owen as Grandma Tala: The veteran New Zealand actress, known for *Once Were Warriors* and *Star Wars*, will portray the wise and spiritual Grandma Tala.
• John Tui as Chief Tui: The Auckland, New Zealand native and actor from *The Fast and the Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw* will play Moana's father, Chief Tui.
• Frankie Adams as Sina: The Samoan-New Zealand actress, known for her role in the TV series *The Expanse*, will portray Moana's mother, Sina.

The Creative Team and Future of the Moana Franchise

The success of the *Moana* franchise is not only due to its talented cast but also the visionary team behind the camera, which is seeing a mix of returning talent and new, high-profile additions for the live-action project.

Auli'i Cravalho's New Role as Producer

While Auli'i Cravalho made the decision not to reprise the role of Moana in the live-action film, she remains a crucial part of the project. She has taken on an Executive Producer role, ensuring that the spirit and cultural authenticity of the original story are preserved in the new adaptation.

Thomas Kail: The Hamilton Connection

The live-action remake is being directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail, best known for directing the Broadway phenomenon *Hamilton*. This choice signals a strong commitment to the musical elements of the film, as Kail is a proven master of theatrical, song-driven storytelling.

The Writers and Composers

Jared Bush, who wrote the original animated film, is returning to write the screenplay for the live-action version, alongside Dana Ledoux Miller. While early reports confirmed a new creative team for the sequel's songs, the music of the original, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, remains the foundation of the entire franchise's success.

With a direct animated sequel arriving in 2024 and a star-studded live-action remake in 2026, the *Moana* universe is set to dominate the box office and streaming charts for years to come. The dual-project strategy, featuring the return of legends like Dwayne Johnson and the exciting introduction of new stars like Catherine Laga'aia, ensures that the spirit of wayfinding and oceanic adventure will captivate both original fans and a new generation.