Spaceship Earth Disney+ Pilot Casts Its Two Leads

Spaceship Earth has been the icon of EPCOT since 1982. Now it’s heading to your TV, and we finally know who’s starring in it.

According to Deadline, the Spaceship Earth Disney+ pilot has cast its two leads: Catherine Laga’aia and Deacon Phillippe. If the first name sounds familiar, it should. Laga’aia played the title role in Disney’s live-action *Moana* this summer.

Character details are being kept quiet for now. But the casting is a sign this project is moving forward, and it’s another example of Disney turning a classic theme park attraction into screen entertainment.

Here’s what we know about the show, the cast, and why EPCOT fans should keep an eye on this one.

Quick Summary

• The leads: Catherine Laga’aia and Deacon Phillippe will star in the pilot.
• The story: A group of teenagers from Earth’s past and future must team up to stop a global disaster after a time-spanning mission goes wrong.
• The writers: Jason Fuchs (IT: Welcome to Derry) and Michael Waldron (Loki).
• Showrunner: Fuchs, who is also executive producing through Five Ten Productions.
• Status: This is a pilot, not a full series order yet.
• Characters: Not revealed.

Meet the Spaceship Earth Disney+ Pilot Cast

Catherine Laga’aia

Laga’aia is best known for landing the title role in Disney’s live-action *Moana*, opposite Dwayne Johnson. The film grossed more than $323 million worldwide this summer.

The Australian actress also co-starred in Prime Video’s limited series *The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart*. She’ll next appear in the thriller *Crashout*.

Casting a fresh Disney star in a Disney+ project tied to EPCOT makes a lot of sense. She already has a built-in audience of families who just watched her as Moana.

Deacon Phillippe

Phillippe is currently filming *Better Than the Movies*, a Netflix rom-com based on Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA novel. His first leading role came in the indie drama *Brother Save Us*. He’s also set to appear in *4 Kids Walk Into a Bank*, a Miramax film from director Frankie Shaw.

What the Show Is About

The pilot follows a group of teenagers from Earth’s past and future who have to team up to stop a global disaster after a time-spanning mission goes wrong.

That premise fits the attraction better than you might think. Spaceship Earth is a slow ride up through the history of human communication, from cave paintings to the printing press to computers. A story that bounces between past and future is a natural way to turn that idea into a TV show.

It also leans younger. A teen ensemble suggests Disney is aiming this at the same family audience that rides the attraction.

Who’s Behind It

The script comes from Jason Fuchs and Michael Waldron.

• Fuchs wrote for *IT: Welcome to Derry* and is serving as showrunner. He’s also executive producing through his company, Five Ten Productions.
• Waldron is best known as the creator and head writer of Marvel’s *Loki*, which is full of time-travel storytelling.

That *Loki* connection is the most interesting detail here. A writer with a track record of smart, twisty time-travel stories is exactly who you’d want on a show about a mission across time.

Pilot vs. Series: What This Means

It’s important to keep expectations realistic. This is a pilot. Disney will film the first episode, and then decide whether to order a full series.

Lots of pilots never become shows. But big casting news like this suggests Disney is putting real effort into it.

Why This Matters for EPCOT Fans

Spaceship Earth is having a big moment. At D23 in August 2026, Disney announced a reimagined version of the attraction, shifting its focus toward human connection and bringing the story into the internet age. No closure or reopening dates have been announced for that update yet.

A Disney+ show could give the ride a whole new generation of fans right as it gets refreshed. It’s the same playbook Disney has used before: *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *Jungle Cruise* both turned rides into big-screen movies, and the attractions got new attention as a result.

What it could mean in the park

There’s no word on any in-park tie-in. But if the show becomes a series and finds an audience, it’s easy to imagine merchandise, character appearances, or story nods showing up at EPCOT down the line. That’s speculation for now, so don’t plan around it.

Tips If You’re Visiting Spaceship Earth Soon

• Ride it now. With a reimagining on the way, the current version won’t be around forever. If you love the classic ride, go while it’s here.
• Ride at night. The geosphere looks incredible lit up after dark, and lines are often shorter later in the evening.
• Watch for refurbishment news. We’ll share closure dates as soon as Disney announces them.

The Bottom Line

The Spaceship Earth Disney+ pilot has its leads: Catherine Laga’aia, fresh off the live-action *Moana*, and Deacon Phillippe. The story follows teens from Earth’s past and future racing to stop a global disaster, with a script from Jason Fuchs and *Loki*’s Michael Waldron. It’s still only a pilot, but paired with Disney’s plans to reimagine the ride itself, it’s a big moment for EPCOT’s icon. Keep checking DisMornings for casting updates and Spaceship Earth news.

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