Disney’s live-action remake of Moana is casting its new lead, and multiple Australian outlets report that 17-year-old Sydney student Catherine Laga’aia has secured the role. The reports say more than 32,000 people applied to play Moana, with auditions and selection narrowing the field to find a performer for the part. Laga’aia, described as a newcomer to film acting who has not previously starred in a movie, was chosen from the large applicant pool. The coverage highlights her background as a student and emphasizes that she had not previously taken on a film lead role before being cast. While the articles focus primarily on the scale of the audition process and her selection, they do not provide additional details in these summaries about production timelines, direction, or other cast members. Overall, the accounts agree on the key points: the scale of applications, the role being cast for Disney’s live-action Moana, and Laga’aia’s status as an emerging performer who wins the part.