Meet the Cast and Characters of the ‘Moana’ Live-Action Film
Some of the OG cast came back for this version!
The new Moana is basically the old Moana, as the live-action adaptation doesn’t really make any attempts to fix what’s not broke. Moana is kinda perfect as is, ok???? The biggest change is the faces, so, here’s what you need to know about the cast and characters of the live-action Moana.
While two cast members reprise their roles from the 2016, most of the cast is new. This includes the titular not-a-princess. The original Moana voice actress, Auli'i Cravalho, did record a new song, written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with the new Moana a.k.a. Catherine Laga'aia and their co-star Dwayne Johnson that plays over the credits of the new film.
Catherine Laga'aia plays Moana
Moana longs to be an ocean explorer. Unfortunately, she is destined to become the chief of an island called Motunui whose residents never leave.
Catherine Laga'aia just graduated from performing arts school. Her screen debut was actually a miniseries called The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Her next film is a thriller called Crashout.
IG: @catherinelagaaia
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Maui
Maui is a narcissistic demigod who has been banished after making a big mistake.
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role from the animated Moana and its sequel. The former pro wrestler has also starred in The Smashing Machine, the Jumanji movies, the Fast and the Furious movies, Free Guy, Jungle Cruise, Tooth Fairy, Pain and Gain, Red Notice, Red One, Black Adam... do we really need to keep going? The Rock is The Rock!
IG: @therock
Rena Owen plays Gramma Tala
Moana's grandmother bonds with her over a shared love of the water.
Rena Owen had/has a recurring on Shortland Street, a New Zealand soap opera. She had main roles on shows including Medivac, Siren, and The Straights. Her film credits include Once Were Warriors, AI: Artificial Intelligence, The Last Witch Hunter, and Dance Me To My Song. She also played Taun We, a creepy gangly alien, in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
IG: @renaowen
John Tui plays Chief Tui,
The Chief is Moana's father. He is very strict about the no-leaving policy.
John Tui has actually collaborated with The Rock twice, in a way. He played a Hobbs relative in the Fast and Furious spin-off Hobbs and Shaw. He also has a recurring role on the animated series Young Rock. Other credits include Shortland Street, Go Girls, and Plum.
IG: @johntui1
Frankie Adams plays Sina
Moana's mother bridges the gap between Moana’s strict father and free spirited grandmother.
Frankie Adams was a series regular on The Expanse and appeared in over 200 episodes of Shortland Street. Her film credits include Mortal Engines, Next Goal Wins, and The Wrecking Crew. She also, actually, played the older version of Laga'aia’s character in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
IG: @frankieadams
Jemaine Clement plays Tamatoa
Tamatoa is a magic, evil, coconut crab who loves to steal shiny things.
Jermaine also reprises his role from the animated films. He is a Grammy-winning member of the comedy folk duo Flight of the Conchords (which was also a sitcom on HBO) you also know from What We Do In The Shadows, Legion, Another Period, Eagle vs. Shark, Avatar: Fire and Ash as well as Avatar: The Way Of Water. His next project, with Disney, is the comedy series Alice and Steve.
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