The first official poster for Moana 2026 shows Moana standing at the edge of the ocean, her hand brushing the water as she prepares for her next adventure.This time, Disney is focusing on authenticity, with a cast from the Pacific islands and a crew that truly understands these cultures.

One of the most anticipated questions was, of course, who would play Moana. Disney chose Catherine Laga’aia, a young Australian actress of Samoan descent. This is her first major film role, and her casting has been widely praised, particularly because she shares the cultural background of the character.

Upon her announcement, Catherine said she was honored to represent young girls like herself and proud to tell a story inspired by Pacific traditions. For many fans, this was exactly what they hoped for: a lead actress who truly understands what Moana represents.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is returning as the demigod Maui, this time in front of the camera. After voicing Maui in the animated film, he had clearly expressed his desire to portray the character live-action. For him, Maui is a personal role, partly inspired by his grandfather, a Samoan wrestler.

He is also producing the film through his company Seven Bucks Productions, showing just how involved he is in the project.

Besides the main duo, the film includes several actors from the Pacific islands:

• John Tui as Chief Tui, Moana’s father
• Frankie Adams as Sina, Moana’s mother
• Rena Owen reprising Gramma Tala, the beloved spiritual grandmother

All have family or cultural ties to the Pacific islands, which adds authenticity that many other Disney adaptations lack.

The film is directed by Thomas Kail, known for Hamilton. The screenplay is by Jared Bush, returning from the original film, alongside Dana Ledoux Miller. The music is composed by Mark Mancina, who also scored the 2016 animated film.

Auli’i Cravalho isn’t playing Moana in this live-action version, but she’s still involved as an executive producer. This means she’s keeping an eye on the film and helping make key decisions. It’s reassuring: she knows the character better than anyone and has often stressed the importance of representing Polynesian culture accurately.

The film probably won’t recreate every scene from the animated version. From the casting alone, it’s clear Disney wants something more real, closer to life in these islands. Several scenes have already been filmed on location, including Hawaii, to avoid a studio look. With Catherine Laga’aia younger than animated Moana, we can expect a heroine who is more vulnerable at first, but more natural and less “perfect.”

Maui is expected to be closer to the original legends. Dwayne Johnson often says that Maui isn’t just a funny character—he’s an important figure in Polynesian culture. Altogether, it seems the live-action version will show more of Moana’s world, not just the familiar journey.

This first poster doesn’t reveal much, but it’s enough to reignite hype for the film. Disney seems intent on respecting the legacy of the first Moana while offering something more intimate and authentic. With Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui, the project is already attracting attention.

There’s still time before the 2026 release, but if Disney stays on this path, the live-action adaptation could truly surprise fans. Moana is back, and it seems this new version will tell the story in a slightly different, more culturally authentic way.