All live action characters and animated movies

Since Auli’i Cravalho’s angelic voice introduced the world to “How Far I’ll Go” ten years ago, newcomer Catherine Lagaia leads this new interpretation, appearing as the brave title character who learns to embrace her love of the ocean. The 19-year-old breakout star, who was born in Sydney, Australia, appeared in three episodes of Alice’s Lost Flower as a younger version of Frankie Adams’ character Candy. Lagaia grew up with eight siblings. Her father, Jay Lagaia, is also an actor and has appeared in Star Wars films such as Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith as Ticho Seltsch.

Dwayne Johnson returns to play the brash shape-shifting demigod Maui, who accompanies Moana on her journey to return Te Fiti’s heart and save Motunui. The 10-time WWE World Champion quickly became a blockbuster star through his roles in the movies Jumanji, Fast and Furious, and Black Adam. In recent years, he has been in the awards buzz for his role in Benny Safdie’s “Smashing Machine,” and recently he was cast in the lead role in “Free Bird,” a new film from director “Sing Sing.”

Gramma Tara, played by Lena Owen, is a central character in Moana as Moana’s grandmother and narrator who helps the Kakamora reconnect with their roots. New Zealand-born Owen has worked with the likes of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, appeared in Artificial Intelligence, provided the voice of Taun Wee in Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and played Ni Aravaar in Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. She recently reprized her role as Taun Wee in a 2021 episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

John Tui (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw, Solo: A Star Wars Story) takes over the role of Chief Tui, Moana’s protective father and leader of the Motunui people. While he encourages Moana to succeed him as chieftain, he is wary of Moana’s desire to explore the seas beyond her home island. Temuera Morrison (Aquaman, Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) originated the role, and Lin and Manuel Miranda’s longtime collaborator Christopher Jackson (Hamilton, In the Heights) provided the singing voice of Chief Tui in the animated film.

Moana’s insightful mother, Sheena, understands her daughter’s longing for water, but wants to protect her from danger. Samoan-New Zealand actor Frankie Adams (The Expanse, Shortland Street) will take over the role from the original’s Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Boulevard, The X Factor).

Jemaine Clement (“Rio,” “What We Do in the Shadows”) returns as the flamboyant red king crab Tamatoa, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else performing the catchy song “Shiny” in the same way. The jeweled crustacean harbors a grudge against Maui and fiercely guards his glittering collection, including a demigod fishhook that fell into his lair.

Moana’s trusty and slightly temperamental pet pig, Pua, follows Moana everywhere, even if she’s a little unsure of the ocean. The live-action production combines real animals and animatronics to bring Moana’s sidekick to life. The animated Pua was voiced using a combination of real pig noises and sound effects by voice actor Frank Welker. His long list includes Fred Jones from Scooby-Doo, Pegasus from Hercules, Cri-Kee from Mulan, Abu from Aladdin, and the Cave of Wonders.

Heihei is a perennially confused rooster who accidentally joins Moana’s adventures after taking shelter on a boat. Always oblivious to what’s going on around him, Heihei is just along for the ride.

The Kakamora are hostile nomads floating across the ocean, easily identified by their armor made of coconuts. Always ready to join the fight, they are small but dangerous, especially when hundreds of them band together.

Te Kaa is a huge and dangerous demon of earth and fire that Moana must overcome to safely retrieve Te Fiti’s heart. Gramma Tara first tells Moana the story of Te Ka, who was awakened when Maui stole Te Fiti’s heart. The heart was eventually lost at sea during a battle with the demigods, which only made Te Kaa even more furious.