‘Moana 2’s Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson Reflect on Sequel
No one knew just how far Moana would go — not even Auliʻi Cravalho, the actress who gave her a voice and brought this iconic character to life.
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Cravalho began her career at 16, voicing Moana, the Polynesian leading lady from Disney’s hit film. Since then, she’s had multiple roles, including The Little Mermaid Live! and Mean Girls musical film.
However, returning to Moana holds a special place in her heart.
Back to Moana
“It being my first acting gig, there was no degree of separation between the two of us,” Cravalho tells Entertainment Weekly.
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She further reflects on her personal growth, which parallels Moana’s evolution. “I’ve grown right along with her,” she says, noting how they both transitioned from adolescence to young adulthood.
While many Disney princesses remain ageless, Moana is set to evolve in the upcoming sequel, Moana 2.
The film depicts her as a young leader who is responsible for her people, which mirrors Cravalho’s journey of self-discovery and growth.
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In addition, Dwayne Johnson, the voice of demi-god Maui, also sees a strong connection between Cravalho and her character. “She is such an anchor of our film and represents the embodiment of so many elements of our movie,” he shared.
Moana 2
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In Moana 2, Moana is three years older and sets out on a new journey, leading a crew to connect with other islands to prevent the destruction of their way of life.
Directors David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller wanted to carry on her story and highlight Moana’s transformation into a community leader. The sequel dives deeper into the concept of leadership and builds on Moana’s character.
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Initially, Moana 2 was intended to be a Disney+ series, but the team realized that the scale of her development and the storyline demanded a theatrical experience.
“We constantly screen [our projects], even in drawing [phase] with sketches,” Lee explains. “It was getting bigger and bigger and more epic, and we really wanted to see it on the big screen. It creatively evolved, and it felt like an organic thing.”
MOANA 2 – © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Moana experiences new challenges in the sequel, as does Maui with his character relying on Moana in new ways.
Johnson shares, “The idea of asking for help is actually a superpower. Masculinity, to me, is not being tough. It’s not being a badass. Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, ‘This is what I’m feeling, and it’s okay. Here’s my chest. I’ll gladly rip it open to someone who can help me.’
Johnson hopes that by discussing these issues and representing them through Maui, he can encourage others to follow suit.
Building on Moana
In addition to the bond between Moana and Maui, Moana 2 introduces new characters, including a baby sister, Simea, and three new crew members: Moni, Kele, and Loto. These characters only enhance the experience from the first movie and add more fun to the sequel.
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For Cravalho and Johnson, this journey is deeply personal, and they are excited to go on it together.
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Article Source/Feature Photo: Entertainment Weekly
