EXCLUSIVE: Auli’i Cravalho is coming back to reprise the voice of Moana in Moana 2.
We last heard that she was in talks, however it’s clear that she was bound to reteam with Dwayne Johnson, who clearly is coming back as demigod Maui.
In a CNBC interview ahead of Disney‘s last earnings call, CEO Bob Iger sprung the news that Moana 2 was opening of November 27, during the Thanksgiving stretch. Disney essentially was over the moon with a Moana Disney+ series that it turned into a big-screen movie.
The sequel is directed by Dave Derrick Jr., with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.
Cravalho told fans last May on social that she wasn’t planning to reprise the role of Moana in the live-action version of the movie.
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” she said in a video posted on Instagram back then. “In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital the casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.”
Cravalho, a native of Kohala, Hawaii, continued at the time: “So, as an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength. I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honor our incredible Pacific peoples cultures and communities that help inspire her story. And I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representations to come. Mahalo.”
Released in 2016, Moana grossed more than $687 million at the global box office and earned Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and the original song “How Far I’ll Go” by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Cravalho recently starred in Paramount’s winter hit Mean Girls and also starred on the TV series Rise, The Power and the animated series Hailey’s on It!
She is repped by Gersh, Chininis Talent and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman & Christopher.