Ron Clements and John Musker go back to the sea for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th feature film, MOANA. The filmmaking team behind “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” and “The Princess and the Frog” will helm the CG animated comedy-adventure to be released in late 2016. Fans are excited to see a South Pacific “person of color” represented in the title role of MOANA. Continue reading for more details from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ press release.
Update October 7, 2015
Ever wonder what it feels like to get your first big break in Hollywood? Watch this video as native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho finds out she’ll be voicing the title character in Disney’s MOANA alongside Dwayne Johnson.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ MOANA has found her voice following a worldwide search to cast the film’s title character. Native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, 14, joins Dwayne Johnson in the big-screen adventure about a spirited and fearless teenager named Moana (voice of Cravalho) who, with help from demi-god Maui (voice of Johnson), sets out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder.
Voice of Disney’s MOANA is native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, 14. Photo by Hugh E. Gentry. ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
While hundreds of talented people from across the Pacific Islands were eager to try out for the role, Cravalho set her sights firmly on her sophomore year of high school. “I didn’t think I would have a chance,” she said. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana—representing my culture in that way.”
Fortunately, the film’s Hawai’i casting director remembered an unrelated audition Cravalho did as part of an a cappella group, which had been submitted for a talent showcase for a charity. Feeling the local teen would be perfect for the Disney role, she tracked her and her mother down and invited Cravalho to audition. “Her audition was fantastic – she was such a raw talent,” said producer Osnat Shurer. “Auli’i was among a small number of girls we brought back for a second round of auditions. Then we flew her and her mom over to audition at our studios in Burbank.”
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ artist Jin Kim showcases the look of the title character in the upcoming adventure “Moana.” ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
“Auli’i demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and call-backs,” said director John Musker. “She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
“Moana is a vibrant, tenacious 16-year-old growing up on an island where voyaging is forbidden,” added director Ron Clements. “But Moana has been drawn to the ocean since she can remember and is desperate to find out what’s beyond the confines of her island.”
Cravalho has already started recording for the role.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ artist Jin Kim showcases the look of the title character in the upcoming adventure “Moana.” ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Update August 14, 2015
Dwayne Johnson (“San Andreas,” “Furious 7,” HBO’s “Ballers”), who lends his voice to the mighty demi-god Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” hit the stage at D23 EXPO 2015. MOANA tells the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder.
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER, and DWAYNE JOHNSON at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
Renowned directors John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”), and producer Osnat Shurer (Oscar-nominated Pixar shorts “One Man Band,” “Boundin’”) shared dazzling early test footage and revealed plans for the film’s inspired music and the extraordinary team behind it.
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
Tony-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s hottest new hit “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Grammy-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Speed”, “Tarzan” “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka) blend their diverse and dynamic talents to help tell the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder. Foa’i capped the presentation with a show-stopping performance illustrating the magic of the movie’s music.
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
OSNAT SHURER, RON CLEMENTS, and JOHN MUSKER at the D23 EXPO 2015 (ABC/Image Group LA)
“Our research took us deep into the South Pacific,” said Clements. “The wonderful people we met there, their rich history and traditions, and their fantastic music changed us forever.”
“We can’t wait to bring those experiences to MOANA,” added Musker. “We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with three amazing artists who are the absolute best at what they do. The sounds they create will be something we’ve never heard before—but it’ll feel like it’s been part of this world forever.”
Original post from October 20, 2014 follows below
©2014 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios Press Release
Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed plans today for “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated comedy-adventure about a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest. In theaters in late 2016, the film is directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”).
“John and I have partnered on so many films—from ‘The Little Mermaid’ to ‘Aladdin’ to ‘The Princess and the Frog,’” said Clements. “Creating ‘Moana’ is one of the great thrills of our career. It’s a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceania.”
In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.
“Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself,” Musker said. “She’s the kind of character we all root for, and we can’t wait to introduce her to audiences.”
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