Auli‘i Cravalho, the actress who voiced Moana in the original animated film, has announced via her Instagram that she will not be reprising the role.
- Cravalho, who was announced to be an executive producer on the film previously, shared a heartfelt message in a brief video:
- “When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career. 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. 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 helped inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come. Mahalo.”
- Check out the video below:
More on Live-Action Moana:
- News of the Moana live-action adaptation was announced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who plays Maui in the animated original, during the Shareholders Meeting last month.
- Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.
- Johnson plans to “return to the fictional world to set sail with Moana,” and will produce via his Seven Bucks Productions.
- Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, is back to write the remake.
- Samoan industry pro Dana Ledoux Miller will also take part in the production.
- Currently, there is no director attached to the project.
- Watch the announcement for yourself below: