Moana (2026) Behind The Scenes: Stunt Doubles, Stand-Ins & Water Scenes

Remember this number? 2944. That's how many names you'll see when you watch the end credits of Moana. Nearly 3000 people who helped bring this live-action adventure to the big screen. Hello there, and let's go behind the scenes of the making of Moana and find out who is really behind the action sequences and stunts. The cast and crew shared plenty of behind-the-scenes footage from the set, giving fans a closer look at how many of the film's biggest moments were actually made. But let's focus on the people you rarely see. The stunt doubles, stunt performers, and stand-ins who helped bring Moana and Maui to life. Although Catherine Laguaia trained extensively for the role of Moana, she didn't perform every stunt herself. And that's completely understandable. Moana features demanding action sequences. Jumping, falling, running, and spending long days filming in and around the water. Safety always comes first, especially during physically challenging scenes. To help create those moments, the production relied on three stunt doubles for Moana. Elliot Craddock, Michelle Cortez-Rosa, and Michelle Rose. Each stunt performer brought different skills to the production. Depending on the scene, they stepped in for action sequences, difficult falls, water work, or moments that require specialized stunt experience. One of the biggest challenges wasn't just the action. It was filming on and around the ocean. Water scenes are some of the most difficult sequences to shoot, because performers must deal with waves, changing weather, slippery surfaces, and long hours in the water, while staying perfectly synchronized with cameras and safety teams. But most of the water scenes were filmed in the big water pool. Behind every dramatic shot is an entire crew of divers, marine coordinators, safety specialists, and stunt professionals making sure everything runs smoothly. Another important role belongs to stand-ins. Unlike stunt doubles, stand-ins usually don't perform action. Instead, they help the cinematographer and lighting crew prepare each shot before the actors step onto the set. Anna Diamanti served as one of Captain LeGuire's stand-ins, allowing the crew to fine-tune camera angles, lighting, and blocking while keeping production moving efficiently. Now let's talk about Maui. Dwayne Johnson is one of Hollywood's biggest action stars, but even he doesn't perform every stunt. For the film's larger action scenes, the production used stunt doubles to safely execute physically demanding moments while matching Maui's larger-than-life movements and energy. There's another fun behind-the-scenes detail. Dwayne Johnson and his stunt doubles wore specially designed muscle suits to recreate Maui's massive animated physique. The costume added extra size and definition while allowing enough flexibility for action scenes. Meanwhile, Artie Ripley's Scanlan worked as Dwayne Johnson's stand-in, helping the crew set up shots, adjusting lighting, and prepare scenes before filming with the actor himself. These performers may only appear on screen for a second or sometimes not be recognizable at all, but they are an essential part of every major production. Their work allows actors to stay safe while giving audiences the exciting action and seamless illusion that everything is performed by the stars themselves. So the next time you watch Moana, remember that behind every leap, every splash, and every dangerous stunt is an entire team of talented professionals whose work helps make the magic feel completely real. It is what it is. Well, that's all. Thanks for watching. Please like, subscribe, watch more videos, and give me a little chihu. Take care!