Go Behind the Scenes of Disney's Live-Action Moana with Catherine Laga'aia and Lin-Manuel Miranda

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The new live-action take on the animated film comes to theaters on July 10, 2026.

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A new behind-the-scenes video is spotlighting Catherine Laga'aia, who takes on the fan-favorite heroine in Disney's live-action Moana. The video features footage from the Hawaii filming locations as well as inside the recording booth, where we hear snippets of her renditions of the familiar tune.

Also included in the featurette are praise from several creatives involved with the project, including original voice actress Auliʻi Cravalho, co-star Dwayne Johnson , Tony-winning director Thomas Kail , and musical theater songwriting whiz Lin-Manuel Miranda . The new live-action take on the animated film comes to theaters on July 10, 2026. Check out the latest trailer for the movie here .

The movie follows Moana (Lagaʻaia), who answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Johnson, reprising his role from the animated films) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.

Moana is directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail (Hamilton), produced by Dwayne Johnson , Dany Garcia , Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda ; and executive produced by Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films. The movie features original songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda , Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina , and an original score composed by Mancina.

The cast also includes Auckland, New Zealand native John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, plays the revered Gramma Tala.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Video-Behind-the-Scenes-of-MOANA-with-Catherine-Lagaaia-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-More-20260611)._