By the D23 Team
In Moana, Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call—and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (newly named Disney Legend Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (Hamilton); produced by Johnson, p.g.a., Beau Flynn, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, p.g.a., and newly named Disney Legend Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, Kail, and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2.
Moana features the new song “Along The Way,” written by Miranda and performed by Cravalho, Lagaʻaia, and Johnson; original songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina; and an original score composed by Mancina. Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds, and songs of Moana exclusively in theaters July 10, 2026.
As the film’s debut approaches, let’s meet the residents of Motunui—and everyone’s favorite demigod—once more…
Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia)
An adventurous, brave and passionate 16-year-old, Moana is constantly drawn to the water surrounding the island of Motunui. As the determined and capable daughter of Chief Tui (John Tui), she’s encouraged to follow in her father’s footsteps as a future leader of her people – and told never to go beyond the island’s reef. But when Motunui is threatened by a destructive force, Moana defies her father and answers the Ocean’s call, setting sail on an epic adventure to return prosperity to her people.
“It was definitely an intense audition,” Lagaʻaia says. “I rehearsed for all the songs. I did a lot of work with my brother Sefa; he kind of stepped in as a singing teacher for me. And I worked with my dad on the script—it was weeks and weeks of reading it over, trying to really nail it down and get my version of Moana across… Being able to step into the legacy that Auliʻi [Cravalho] and Dwayne [Johnson] created is a real blessing,” she adds. “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.”
Maui (Dwayne Johnson)
A shape-shifting demigod with a flair for the dramatic, larger-than-life Maui wields a magical fishhook and thrives on heroics and applause. But beneath his bravado lies a complicated past, and he finds himself banished to solitude after stealing the heart of the mother island, Te Fiti. Unaware of the darkness that he accidentally unleashed, it will take hundreds of years—and one extremely determined teenager—for him to have the chance to try and help set things right.
“What makes Maui so meaningful to me,” Johnson explains, “is that not only does it represent our Polynesian cultures, but Maui distinctly represents my grandfather, the late High Chief Peter Maivia. When you hold up pictures of my grandfather, with all his tattoos and his massive build and his long, beautiful hair, and you hold it up to Maui, it’s striking. It’s just really incredible. It represents legacy, life, pride and culture.”
Chief Tui (John Tui)
Moana’s uncompromising father, Chief Tui, is the gregarious and well-respected leader of Motunui. While he recognizes Moana’s strength and encourages her to follow in his footsteps as the future leader of their people, he is troubled by her close connection to the ocean and her desire to explore the world that lies beyond their reef.
For Tui, singing for a role was an entirely new experience. When it came time to record the songs for the film, he recalls, “I was terrified standing in front of that mic. It was daunting, thinking about whether I was good enough. I think every artist questions that. But once you apply yourself and you’re committed, there’s no room for doubt. So, I was there singing in the booth, and I found another gear I didn’t know I had. I think Tommy [Kail] and [vocal supervisor] Alex [Lacamoire] both gave me the self-belief that I can sing these songs.”
Gramma Tala (Rena Owen)
Moana’s confidant and guiding light, Gramma Tala, shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. Although her son, Chief Tui, is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala dances to the beat of her own drum. She feels in her soul that the ocean has big plans for Moana, but she won’t reveal the long-hidden secrets of their wayfinding ancestors until the time is right.
According to Owen, “I’m of Māori and European descent. I grew up in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand. And I have to say, it’s the greatest privilege to be Gramma Tala. She’s eccentric, she loves having fun, and she likes to keep it light. 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, Sina, always has her back. Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water but, much like her hard-headed husband, Chief Tui, wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef. Above all, Sina trusts Moana to make the right decisions.
Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement)
Tamatoa—a self-absorbed, treasure-obsessed 50-foot crab—lives in the realm of monsters known as Lalotai. The conceited crustacean wants to be more than just a drab little crab and overcompensates by covering himself in all things shiny. An avid collector, he holds a nasty grudge against Maui and fiercely guards his ever-growing array of glitzy artifacts—including the demigod’s magical fishhook.
Pua
Moana’s adorable and loyal pet pig, Pua, exudes puppy-like energy. Endlessly supportive, guileless and sweet, Pua is the kind of pig who would follow Moana anywhere if given the chance.
Te Fiti
As Gramma Tala explains to Moana, Te Fiti is the mother island—a life-giving goddess who embodies creation. Her heart holds the power of life itself, a gift she shares with the world. But when the trickster demigod Maui steals the heart of Te Fiti, thinking it will win him love and adoration, he unknowingly unleashes a terrible darkness that threatens all life throughout the region.
Te Kā
Te Kā is a massive, terrifying demon of earth and fire. As Gramma Tala tells Moana, when Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti, the lava monster Te Kā awoke and battled the demigod for the beloved treasure. But during the fray, the heart of Te Fiti was lost to the sea, further fueling Te Kā’s fiery rage.
Heihei
Heihei is a lovably clueless and perpetually confused rooster who stumbles through life from one near-accident to the next. When the oblivious chicken accidentally stows away on Moana’s canoe, he lands a front-row seat on her epic journey. He may not know what’s going on, but somehow, he always ends up exactly where he’s needed.
Kakamora
The Kakamora are wild, coconut-armored nomads who live on a flotsam-covered vessel that floats freely around the ocean. The Kakamora may be small, but they are ruthless warriors who will stop at nothing to get what they want. And Maui is at the top of their most-wanted list…
Don’t miss Disney’s Moana, in theaters beginning July 10!