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Dwayne Johnson Shares Why His ‘Moana’ Role Was "Jarring" for His Kids
Auli’i Cravalho happily made way for Catherine Laga'aia.
The voice of Moana made sure to welcome her live-action counterpart into the fold as Laga'aia prepared for her role in Moana—which hits theaters on July 10.
“I had gotten an email from Auli’i, which was so special, because this is her baby,” Laga'aia exclusively shared with E! News’ Will Marfuggi during a joint interview with costar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “This is what she made and she created.”
“So to have the tick of approval, the OK from her to be able to step into this with her full support and pride behind me,” she continued, “I felt like every piece of the puzzle had lined up for me to take this into my own and step forward with it.”
The 19-year-old had also received an equally exciting voice message from Johnson during the casting process, adding that she initially had no idea who would be calling her.
“It was an American phone number,” she recalled, “and I was like, ‘I don't know who this is.’ I thought it was a spam caller.”
But as Johnson has “such a famous voice,” she immediately knew he would be telling her “You’re welcome.”
Disney
“I heard it, and it was like, ‘Aloha Katie,’” she laughed while doing her best impression of Johnson. “I was like, ‘There's actually no way, There's no way.’”
But there certainly was a way, with Laga'aia taking on the role of Moana that Cravalho made famous in the 2016 cartoon and its 2024 sequel.
And Cravalho was still called to the live-action version, not just as a producer but also as a singer, teaming up with Laga'aia and Johnson for the new song “Along The Way,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
“’Along The Way’ is the perfect symbolism for this movie,” Laga'aia shared in a video posted to Instagram June 15. “Dwayne and Auli’i sing about finding me along the way and our journeys colliding.”
As for Cravalho, the 25-year-old was honored to be watching Laga'aia take on the role of Moana.
“Being able to pass the baton to Catherine is really important for me,” she said. “To see her take on the life of this character is such a joy.”
For more movies hitting the big screen this year, keep reading.
Lucasfilm Ltd
The Mandalorian and Grogu - May 22, 2026
Bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu take their galactic adventures to the big screen. Also starring Sigourney Weaver.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Amazon MGM Studios
Masters of the Universe - June 5, 2026
The legendary '80s franchise returns to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure which finds Prince Adam/He-Man and his allies once again battling the fiendish Skeletor. Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto and Idris Elba.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Niko Tavernise/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment
Disclosure Day - June 12, 2026
Legendary director Steven Spielberg is back with this sci-fi thriller starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Disney/Pixar
Toy Story 5 - June 19, 2026
Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang return as the toys take on tech in the form of a frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Supergirl - June 26, 2026
When a ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Universal Studios
Minions & Monsters - July 1, 2026
The little yellow guys return for a new animated adventure set in 1920s Hollywood. Featuring the voices of Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Zoey Deutch, and Jesse Eisenberg.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Disney
Moana - July 10, 2026
Disney adds to their live-action remake roster with this reimagining of the 2016 animated hit. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as demigod Maui and Catherine Laga'aia stars as Moana.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Universal Studios
The Odyssey - July 17, 2026
A seriously all-star cast assembles for director Christopher Nolan's epic take on the ancient Greek poem. Starring Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway and many more.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Brand New Day - July 31, 2026
This new chapter of the superhero franchise finds Peter Parker (Tom Holland) living and crime-fighting alone in New York, having erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Zendaya returns as MJ and Sadie Sink joins the cast.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Cat in the Hat - November 6, 2026
Based on the beloved Dr. Seuss book, this animated adaptation will feature the voices of Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, and America Ferrera.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Murray Close/Lionsgate
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - November 20, 2026
This highly anticipated prequel revisits the world of Panem and follows young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games. Also starring Glenn Close, Whitney Peak, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Mckenna Grace and Maya Hawke.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Marvel Studios
Avengers: Doomsday - December 18, 2026
An insanely star-studded cast of MCU fan-favorites return to our screens in this fifth installment of the Avengers film series.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Buy a ticket HERE.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Dune: Part Three - December 18, 2026
Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet return to deliver the epic conclusion to director Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy. Also starring Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem.
Where to Watch: In theaters and IMAX
Buy a ticket HERE.
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