To Catherine Laga'aia: How does one become Moana?
Stepping into a role beloved by millions is no small feat, especially when it’s your feature film debut. The world is eager to know everything about Catherine Laga'aia, the young Australian actress chosen to be our new wayfinder. Fans want to hear about the year-long
audition process she endured and the moment 'Hamilton' director Thomas Kail delivered the life-changing news. How did she feel taking the torch from Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced the animated original and serves as an executive producer on this film? This question is about understanding the pressure and pride of embodying a character who means so much to a generation, particularly for young women and the Polynesian community.
To Dwayne Johnson: What’s different about being Maui this time?
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson isn't just reprising his role as the demigod Maui; he's physically becoming him. Voicing the character was one thing, but donning the iconic tattoos and, yes, that much-discussed wig, is another. Fans are curious about the transformation and the feeling of bringing a character inspired by his own grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, to life in the flesh. After years of being the voice, what was it like to perform “You’re Welcome” on a real boat, interacting with a human Moana? This question gets to the heart of an actor revisiting a signature role in a completely new dimension.
To the filmmakers: How do you make the magic real?
The 2016 animated 'Moana' was a visual marvel, from the sentient ocean to the coconut-armored Kakamora and the gleaming Tamatoa. The biggest question for director Thomas Kail and the production team is a technical one: how did you translate that animation magic into live-action? Jemaine Clement is back voicing the giant crab Tamatoa, but how does a CGI creature interact with real actors? And what about the most important character of all that isn't a person—the ocean itself? Fans are desperate to know which creative hurdles were the toughest to overcome in making a world of myth and magic feel tangible and real.
To Lin-Manuel Miranda: Are there new songs?
You can't talk about 'Moana' without talking about the music. The original soundtrack, with songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina, was a global phenomenon. All three have returned for the live-action score, and Miranda has penned a new song for the film. Red carpet reporters will surely be asking about the new track, titled "Along the Way," and what it adds to the story. Fans want to know how the team approached readapting beloved songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” for a new star and a new format. It's a question about honoring a classic while still offering something new.
To the cast: How did you continue the cultural legacy?
From the very beginning, 'Moana' has been celebrated for its focus on Polynesian culture. Dwayne Johnson has spoken about how the film represents his own heritage and provides a chance for Polynesian people to see themselves on screen. With Auliʻi Cravalho passing the baton to Catherine Laga'aia, there is a continued commitment to authentic casting. The question on every thoughtful fan's mind is how this new film deepens that commitment. How did the cast and creators, including cultural advisors from the start, work to ensure this live-action version was not just a remake, but a respectful and powerful expansion of that legacy for a global audience?
