The live-action casting for the titular role of Moana repeats the animated film’s brilliant decision. In 2015, Disney announced that Auli’i Cravalho would play Moana in the animated film. She was an unknown actress at the time, but Disney does not always cast unknown actors to play lead roles, especially for live-action remakes. Emma Watson has an extremely famous past thanks to Harry Potter, and Disney picked her to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2017). Beyoncé is one of the world’s most well-known performers, and Disney cast her to play Nala in The Lion King (2019) and Mufasa.

Angelina Jolie has played numerous characters spanning decades, and one of those roles included the titular Maleficent in 2014. However, Disney does not always choose familiar names to play lead roles in their live-action remakes. Mia Wasikowska played Alice in Alice in Wonderland (2010), and prior to this role, she was mostly in short films. Lily James’ breakout role was the titular character in the 2015 remake of Cinderella, while Mena Massoud’s big break was playing the lead in Aladdin (2019). Liu Yifei had a well-known career in China, but she broke barriers with international audiences in the 2020 remake of Mulan.

Recasting Moana Gives Another Unknown Actress A Breakout Role

Disney Can Change Catherine Laga’aia’s Life The Way They Changed Auli’i Cravalho’s

Disney cast Catherine Laga’aia as Moana in the live-action remake, and it is the perfect way for Catherine Laga’aia to kickstart her acting career, the same way Moana helped Auli’i Cravalho. Auli’i Cravalho was unknown when Disney cast her to voice Moana, and now she has a hearty list of roles, including Crush, All Together Now, and most recently, Mean Girls (2024). Cravalho is set to reprise her role as Moana for the animated sequel. Disney gave Auli’i Cravalho an excellent start to a career that will only grow from here, and the same thing could happen to Catherine Laga’aia.

Moana’s Remake Could Be Bigger For Catherine Laga’aia Than The Original Was For Auli’i Cravalho

Catherine Laga’aia Will Appear On Screen As Moana Rather Than Just Her Voice

The casting for the live-action of Moana could mean much more for Catherine Laga’aia. While Auli’i Cravalho has since created a fulfilling career, voicing Moana is not the same as playing the character live. Catherine Laga’aia will appear on screen, and audiences will watch her act and sing. This difference could mean much bigger things for her in Hollywood, as it has for other actors who have had their breakout roles in Disney live-action remakes. Lily James went on to star in huge films such as Baby Driver and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again after she played Cinderella.

Only time will tell how Catherine Laga’aia’s career will pan out after the release of the live-action Moana in 2026. This role should only break barriers for her. However, not all Disney live-action breakout stars have had successful careers after their roles. Mena Massoud struggled after the release of Aladdin in 2019, but he has managed to acquire a few roles since then. Hopefully, playing Moana will be a great first step in a long career for Catherine Laga’aia and not just a one-time appearance in Hollywood.