Aussie star Jay Laga’aia’s daughter Catherine cast as Moana in live-action Disney film

Disney just announced the Aussie teenager who will play Moana in the live-action movie – and she has a famous dad.

Disney has just announced the teenager who will play Moana in the highly anticipated live-action movie – and she’s from Sydney, Australia.

The studio excitedly revealed that 17-year-old Catherine Laga’aia will play the title role in the upcoming Moana film – and if that surname sounds familiar, it’s because she is the daughter of New Zealand-Australian actor Jay Laga’aia.

“My family and I are so pleased to share this news with the rest of the world,” the Water Rats actor and Play School star gushed on Instagram on Thursday morning.

The animated film Moana was a hit when it was released by Disney in 2016. Picture: Disney

Catherine Laga’aia is set to star in the live-action Moana movie.

“My daughter Katie can finally share the news that she will be taking on the role of Moana in the live action Disney movie along side Dwayne Johnson and Lin Manuel Miranda.”

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Moana songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda with stars Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson at the premiere of the animated film Moana in 2016. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Catherine – who will portray strong-willed Moana, the daughter of a chief of a Polynesian village – has also expressed her excitement in a statement released by the studio.

“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favourites,” she said, adding that the role was especially personal due to her family ties.

Catherine is the daughter of actor Jay Laga’aia, with the pair visiting New York last year.

The actor said they were in town for Catherine’s “job interview”.

“My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa,” she explained. “I’m honoured to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

And she is in good company with Johnson on-board to play the mighty demigod Maui. The actor also voiced the character in the 2016 animated film, which featured Auli’i Cravalho as the voice of Moana.

Although, Cravalho, 23, will not star in the live-action movie, she will work heavily behind the scenes as a producer.

Laga’aia with his wife Sandie and seven of their eight kids.

“I am truly honoured to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent to honour our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures, and communities that helped inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come,” she said on social media last year.

However, Cravalho will return to voice the warrior princess in the upcoming animated Moana 2, in which Johnson will also reprise his role as Maui.

Catherine is not the first in the Laga’aia family to follow in their father’s famous footsteps.

In 2022, her brother Iosefa Laga’aia was cast in the roles of George Washington, Aaron Burr and Maddison Mulligan in the Australian production of the hit musical, Hamilton.

Production on Moana kicks off later this year and the film will arrive in Australian Cinemas on July 9, 2026.