Auli’i Cravalho Explains Why It Was Important To Pass the Role of Moana Onto a New Actress
Ever since 2016’s Moana took the world by storm, Auli’l Cravalho has become synonymous with the titular heroine.
Cravaolho’s performance in the film was lauded by critics and fans alike, and she has since reprised her role as Moana for Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and more recently, Once Upon a Studio.
Photo: Disney
When Dwayne Johnson announced that a Moana live-action film was in production, with the actor reprising his role as Maui, all eyes quickly turned to Cravalho.
While the actress is now 23 years old and thus older than Moana in the film, it seemed possible that Disney could tailor the story to allow Cravalho to reprise her role in live-action.
Photo: Disney
Cravalho Will Not Play Moana in Live-Action
Quickly after the Moana live-action film was announced, Carvalho took to Instagram to confirm that she would not be portraying Moana in live-action. Instead, Cravalho said she would serve as an executive producer on the film while passing the role of Moana on to another actress.
Auli’l Cravalho. (ABC/Christopher Willard)
“I believe it is absolutely vital [that] the cast accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.” She continued, “So, as an executive producer of the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength.”
Passing the Baton
In a recent interview with The Wrap, Cravalho explained her rationale for passing the baton on to another woman of Pacific Island descent.
Auli’l Cravalho. Photo: Billboard
“It feels really important to me to pass the baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, and I say that with my whole chest,” Cravalho said. “I have been invited, and I exist in these beautiful AAPI spaces, Asian American Pacific Islander. And I am one of the few Pacific Islanders, and I’ll say it again, I am one of the few Pacific Islanders. And our stories are so important to be told.”
Cravalho Wants to Be Involved
As for Cravalho, the Mean Girls star explained that she wants to be involved behind the camera as much as possible.
Photo: USA Today
“We are used. And I want to tell our own stories. I want to be behind the camera as much as I am in front of it,” Cravalho explained. “When I talk about representation, I want to see the same thing happening in writers rooms. I want to see the same thing happening with directors. And Taika Waititi talks about this as well. I wanna see showrunners who are also of indigenous descent telling their own stories. And if it has to start with me — I’m 23, but if it starts with me, so be it. I want that door to swing wide open, and I cannot wait to meet the next Moana.”
Photo: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP
Due to the onset of the SAG-AFTRA, casting on Moana has been delayed. Still, with the live-action film set to hit theaters on June 27, 2025, production should soon ramp up.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, thanks for reading!
