Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia on Growing Up with Moana and Representing Polynesian Culture On Screen
The two stars talk about the iconic songs they were most excited to work on and why the film is important for the next generation of Polynesian people.
Actress Catherine Laga’aia may be new to Hollywood, but the 19-year-old star of the upcoming live-action Moana knows just how much her being on-screen matters — because she’s experienced the impact of representation firsthand.
“Moana the film was such an iconic and such an incredible thing to come out in 2016,” Laga’aia said during Fandango’s Big Ticket interview. “To get to grow up with that is such a joy, and it’s something that a lot of people didn’t get to experience when they were growing up.
To have a representation of myself that was so close to who I was, especially when I was growing up, it opens new doors for you, and it got me here today.”
Released in 2016, the animated musical film broke barriers and was a champion for representation, as it followed Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho), the daughter of a village chief who sets out on an adventure to restore a mystical relic to the goddess Te Fiti.
As with any Disney heroine over the past 15 years, Moana was headstrong, fierce and determined — not to mention incredibly proud of her heritage. Drawing from Polynesian mythology, Moana officially gave viewers Disney’s first Polynesian princess as well as a unique — and rare — depiction of her culture on the silver screen.
A decade later, the live-action remake, directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton) and heading to theaters on July 10, sets out to continue that journey.
For Dwayne Johnson, who voiced demigod Maui in the 2016 animated film and returns to reprise the role in live action, one of the things that made this experience so special was the care for the culture he saw throughout the shoot. Both Johnson and Laga’aia pointed to the inclusion of cultural advisors on set as an example of this. “Everybody involved with this project, they were so deeply invested in not only making a great movie, but also deeply invested in the presentation of a culture and how important that was,” Johnson said.
Stepping back into the role of Maui a decade later was surreal for the actor, not only because it was an opportunity to reinhabit and expand on a familiar and beloved character, but because the character itself holds special meaning for Johnson. “The character of Maui was inspired by my grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia,” Johnson said, “so it means so much to me.”
And, Johnson added, watching Laga’aia inhabit Moana firsthand in what he called “the coolest front row seat” was not only impressive, but also a reminder of just how impactful representation on screen still can be. Johnson recalled an experience after the film wrapped when young children on set were looking up to Laga’aia, enamored and mesmerized by her. “It dawned on me,” Johnson said, “they’ve grown up with animated Moana, and for them, this is who it is… That’s the reminder.”
For Laga’aia, her casting as Moana could almost be described as a full-circle moment; as she now takes the helm for a new generation of young Polynesian people who are able to once more see themselves and their culture accurately and lovingly depicted on screen — only this time in live action. And ultimately, that’s Laga’aia’s hope, that viewers are able to see themselves in the character of Moana, and — like she herself once did — dream.
“Getting to represent all of the Pacific Islands — but more specifically for me, getting to represent Samoa and where I come from — is such a blessing and it’s such an honor.” she said. “I can really only hope that our movie gets to do that for the next generation of kids.”
Moana opens in theatres on July 10. Get your tickets here.
