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 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
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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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