Disney fans have been eagerly awaiting news on the highly anticipated sequel to the hit animated film Moana. And now, it has been confirmed that Auli’i Cravalho will be returning to voice the beloved character of Moana in Moana 2.
It was previously reported that Cravalho was in talks to reprise her role, but it is now official that she will be teaming up once again with Dwayne Johnson, who will be voicing demigod Maui. The collaboration between Cravalho and Johnson was a major factor in the success of the first film, and fans can expect more of their dynamic chemistry in the upcoming sequel.
According to a CNBC interview with Disney CEO Bob Iger, Moana 2 is set to premiere on November 27th, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The film will be directed by Dave Derrick Jr. and will feature music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina. With such a talented team behind the sequel, fans can expect a soundtrack that will be just as memorable as the first film.
In a social media post last May, Cravalho revealed that she had made the decision not to reprise the role of Moana in any live-action adaptations of the film. She expressed the importance of accurate representation in casting and stated that she was looking forward to helping find the next actress to portray Moana’s character. Cravalho’s commitment to ensuring authentic representation of Pacific Island cultures in the film industry is commendable and sets a positive example for future productions.
The original Moana film, released in 2016, was a massive success, grossing over $687 million worldwide and receiving Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. The song “How Far I’ll Go” by Lin-Manuel Miranda became an instant classic and further solidified the film’s place in Disney history. With the return of Cravalho as Moana, fans can expect an equally captivating and heartwarming story in the sequel.
In addition to her role in Moana 2, Auli’i Cravalho has been keeping busy with other projects. She recently starred in Paramount’s hit movie Mean Girls and has appeared in TV series such as Rise, The Power, and the animated series, Hailey’s on It!. With a promising career ahead of her, Cravalho continues to showcase her talent and versatility as an actress.