Walt Disney Studios posted a video of the creative team and cast members of the live action Moana gushing about star Catherine Laga’aia in the title role.

Catherine Laga’aia as Moana

“It is such a joy to see Catherine take on the life of this character,” Auli’i Cravalho said of Laga’aia in the video. Cravalho is the voice of Moana from the 2016 animated film. Laga’aia explained that she is so excited to be playing the heroine and that she immediately called her family after getting the news.

Songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) said that finding someone to play Moana in the live action film was a “worldwide search.” And director Thomas Kail (Hamilton) said of meeting Laga’aia that “it could only be her.” Others from the original film, as well as the new one, also praised the young actress’s work in production.

“It’s such an incredible honor to step into this legacy,” Laga’aia said.

Watch the behind the scenes video below:

The final trailer for the film, which comes out July 10, was released yesterday.

Live Action Moana

In Moana, Disney’s live-action reimagining of the Oscar-nominated animated movie, Moana (Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a journey to restore prosperity to her people.

Moana features original songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina, and an original score composed by Mancina. Dwayne Johnson has also previously shared his thoughts about heritage and supporting women while performing as Maui.

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