Catherine Lakaia joins Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as love interest Maui, in the oceanic adventure that hits theaters on July 10, 2026 – Production begins this summer
Catherine Lakaya travels to Motunui and beyond as a seasoned adventurer on a daring journey to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action film. Mona.
„I’m really excited to embrace this character because Mona is one of my favorites,” said the 17-year-old Sydney, Australia, native. “My grandfather hails from Fala, Palali, Savai. My grandmother is from Lulumoka Tuai on the main island of Upolu in Samoa. I am honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples and to represent young women who look like me.
The cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Thuy as Mona’s no-nonsense father, Chief Thuy.; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Mona’s playful and strong-willed mother, Cena; And Rena Owen, from the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, played the role of the venerable village thala.
As previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the larger-than-life angel Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role.
Releases in theaters on July 10, 2026 Mona Directed by Thomas Gale Hamilton On Broadway and Disney+, Greece Live and the first and last episodes of Hulu’s acclaimed limited series We are lucky.
“I’m thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process,” said Gayle. „I’m humbled by this opportunity and I can’t wait for everyone to be together. There’s no better couple to be in the canoe than Catherine and Dwayne — actually, all three: Heihe is ready.”
Mona Bringing a young woman’s story to life in a whole new way. Production begins shooting this summer to celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in an epic adventure.
The new film is produced by Johnson, Danny Garcia and Hiram Garcia through Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn through Flynn Pictures. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs, will also serve as producer. Executive producers include Flynn Picture Co.’s Scott Shelton, Ally Gravalho, who voiced Mona in the 2016 film, and Charles Neuwirth.
Jared Bush and Dana LeDoux Miller have been cast for the project. Bush, a veteran of Disney Animation, wrote the screenplay for the 2016 movie “Moana,” and Miller is a Samoan writer who created Netflix’s “Thai Cave Rescue” and co-founded the nonprofit Pacifica Entertainment Advancement Committee (PEAK).
„Totalny pionier w sieci. Specjalista od piwa niezależny. Ewangelista popkultury. Miłośnik muzyki. Nieprzepraszający przedsiębiorca”.