Moana fans got one of their clearest looks yet at new star Catherine Laga’aia on Monday.
The 17-year-old Australian actress was pictured on the set of the Disney live-action remake as she performed an emotional scene on a beach in Oahu, Hawaii.
She was joined in the scene by her costar John Tui, who plays Chief Tui — Moana’s father — in the movie, as well as fellow actress Frankie Adams, who plays Sina.
Notably missing from the scene was Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, 52, who is reprising his role from the original animated film as demigod Maui.
However, the presence of Moana’s father suggests the scene may take place early in the film’s story, prior to Maui’s arrival, or late in the film when Moana returns to her family.
The remake is being made as an animated sequel to the original Moana, which features original star Auli’i Cravalho voicing the тιтle character, is set to premiere in theaters on November 27.
Moana fans got one of their clearest looks yet at new star Catherine Laga’aia on Monday
The 17-year-old Australian actress was pictured on the set of the Disney live-action remake as she performed an emotional scene on a beach in Oahu, Hawaii; pictured with costar John Tui (L)
In the latest scene, Catherine was glimpsed on the beach and standing in waist-high water.
To her left side was a dock where a crane holding a camera had been set up, and a boom microphone operator and other film crew members stood just out of the camera’s line of sight.
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Catherine’s costume consisted of a sleeveless red patterned top beige blanket-like patterned skirt with yellow strands of dried grᴀss sticking out from underneath.
She wore her wavy raven locks down to her back, and she and the rest of the cast one set were barefoot.
John Tui was shirtless, revealing tattoos across his right arm and half his chest, and he had on a deep red patterned skirt with green leaves tied around his ankles.
Frankie Adams, who plays Moana’s mother, was dressed in a beige outfit that covered her shoulders and was slightly more conservative.
In the emotional scene, which may have been a reunion, Moana stood in the water near the shore as her father, Chief Tui, appeared to run out to her.
He embraced her with a big bear hug and lifted her up into the air, while her mother ran just behind to greet her.
In the scene, Catherine stood in waist-high water as her father, Chief Tui (John Tui) rushed out to embrace her
Running just behind was Frankie Adams (R), who plays Moana’s mother Sina
Catherine’s costume consisted of a sleeveless red patterned top beige blanket-like patterned skirt with yellow strands of dried grᴀss sticking out from underneath
Just to the left of the actor was a dock holding a crane with the camera attached
They were surrounded by crew members hiding under tents and awning, and they were also joined by several child actors
Missing from the scene was Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who reprises his role from the animated Moana as the demigod Maui
The film is a live-action remake of the 2016 animated hit of the same name. Disney has prioritized live action remakes over creating new films in recent years
Johnson will also be featured with original Moana voice actress Auli’i Cravalho in the animated sequel to Moana, which hits theaters on November 27
The main cast actors were also joined by several child actors who were dressed similarly to Moana, though their clothes were more rust-colored than crimson, and one girl was dressed in a long grᴀss skirt.
In the background, wooden boats that appeared to be film props were seen resting on the sand, just beyond a series of tents and awnings where crew members congregated to stay out of the piercing sun.
Disney has lately gotten in the habit of remaking its earlier animated hits as live-action films, rather than focusing on making original films, and the Moana remake is no different.
However, it has the odd distinction of being in the works even as a sequel to the first film is about to premiere.
Moana 2 will have stiff compeтιтion at the box office, as it will be going up against Wicked: Part One in only its second weekend.
The film, which stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, broke the record for the biggest opening weekend of a Broadway film adaption.
Gladiator II is also doing strong business. The sequel, which has Ridley Scott returning to direct, stars Paul Mescal and features a strong supporting cast including Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.
Although it couldn’t keep up with Wicked in the US, it has been doing strong business in international markets compared to the Wizard Of Oz–inspired musical.