Catherine Laga'aia makes her debut in a feature film in the live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney hit 'Moana'. At just 19 years old, she demonstrated remarkable composure during a recent press tour, despite being a newcomer.
Vision for the Film Adaptation
The discussion began with what this live version offers that was not present in the original animated film. Director Thomas Kail explained that they love the 2016 animated version and discussed with Dwayne Johnson the possibility of bringing it to life with live actors to achieve a deeper emotional connection.
Kail noted that collaborating with Disney allowed them to create a representation that could exist as a supplement to the original, rather than a replacement. He emphasized that Catherine brings something new to the character of Moana, and that the musical works by Jemaine Clement and Dwayne Johnson were also innovative.
Interaction with Colleagues
Dwayne Johnson reprised his role as Maui, the demigod shapeshifter. Working alongside him, Laga'aia shared how pleasant it was to collaborate with someone who is so knowledgeable about various aspects of acting. She compared it to working with a master who could teach her, much like Moana didn't know everything at the start of her journey but had a mentor.
Script Changes and Vision
When asked about wanting to change any scenes, Kail said that screenwriters Jared Bush and Dana Liedkus Miller are deeply immersed in the world of 'Moana'. They wanted to slightly expand the world established in the original script and saw an opportunity for evolution. Special attention was paid to the moment when Moana returns to her community and places the shell on the rock, which, in the team's opinion, could be presented in a more elevated choreographic and musical form.
Audition Process and Recognition
Laga'aia recounted sending her recordings and going through auditions via Zoom, considering it an unattainable dream. Nevertheless, Kail admitted that he recognized his Moana in her from the first personal meeting. He stated that there were 32,000 applications for this single role. Catherine, then 16 years old, sang the song 'How Far I'll Go' and filmed several scenes. Kail noted that her drive came across, and when she arrived in New York, all their hopes were confirmed.
At the end of the press conference, the mutual admiration between the actress and the director was evident, providing a wonderful conclusion to the story. The film 'Moana' will be released in theaters nationwide on Thursday, June 9th.
