Moana: Cast Info and Character Artwork Released
Walt Disney Studios has released some new images and also the full cast and character info list for the upcoming CG animated feature Moana. The new animated feature arrives in theaters later this year, and it follows the journey of a 16-year-old who teams up with the mighty demigod Maui, to fulfill an ancient quest.
Moana has a strong pedigree, as its directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, who were the filmmakers behind The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. Here’s the newly revealed character and voice cast list. Previously announced, Auli’i Cravalho voices the title character Moana, who wants to become a master wayfinder. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also voices Maui, a half-god and half-mortal being. Here’s the rest of the vocal talent for the film (Courtesy of Disney):
- JEMAINE CLEMENT (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) provides the voice of TAMATOA, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. The conceited crustacean wants to be more than a “bottom feeder” and overcompensates for this perceived shortcoming by covering himself in all things shiny.
- RACHEL HOUSE (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) lends her voice to GRAMMA TALA, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. Although her son Tui, the chief of Motunui, is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala most definitely dances to the beat of her own drum.
- TEMUERA MORRISON (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) voices Moana’s father, CHIEF TUI, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. Chief Tui wants Moana to follow in his footsteps as leader of their people, but fears his daughter’s draw to the ocean and the world that lies beyond their reef.
- NICOLE SCHERZINGER (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End’s “Cats”) voices Moana’s mother, SINA, who always has her daughter’s back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water, but also wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef.
- ALAN TUDYK, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”), is behind the voice of HEIHEI. Heihei is one dumb rooster—the village idiot, in fact. When the clueless chicken accidently stows away on Moana’s canoe, he lands a front-row seat for her epic journey.
Other characters in the film include the Kakamora, a team of crazy, coconut-armored pirates who will stop at nothing to get what they want. There’s also Pua, the loyal pet pig of Moana’s who has puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain. You can also check out some new character artwork from Disney in the gallery below. Click on the thumbnails to see the full-size images. Moana arrives in theaters on November 23.