Auli’i Cravalho Reacts New ‘Moana 2’ Toys Before the Sequel Splashes Into Theaters in November (Exclusive)

Auli’i Cravalho Reacts New ‘Moana 2’ Toys Before the Sequel Splashes Into Theaters in November (Exclusive)

As a fan who grew up with the enchanting melodies of Moana and admired Auli’i Cravalho‘s captivating portrayal of the wayfarer princess, I must say I was absolutely thrilled to see her unveil the merchandise for Moana 2. The excitement was palpable as she showcased the toys and accessories, from the light-up shell necklace to the squeaking Hei Hei figurine, and even a singing Moana doll!


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Auli’i Cravalho, the voice behind Moana, is treating her enthusiasts to an exclusive preview of the latest Disney movie merchandise ahead of the autumn release when the chief of Motunui embarks on her grand cinematic voyage.

Before the premiere of “Moana 2” in cinemas on November 27, Auli’i Cravalho (reprising her role as Moana) reveals some exciting toys for the sequel in an exclusive unboxing video on The Hollywood Reporter. In the video above, the 23-year-old actress from Hawaii displays a variety of holiday-themed products such as a glowing shell necklace and a squeaking Hei Hei figurine by Jakks Pacific, and a singing Moana doll and canoe playset by Mattel. Cravalho expresses her delight over these items with exclamations like “oohs,” “ahhhs,” and “wows.” Alan Tudyk would be pleased to see the squeaking Hei Hei figurine, she notes.

First off, I’ve got a traditional Hawaiian flower crown, or as they call it, a ‘lei po’o’, on my Moana action figure, and let me tell you, that iconic necklace too. As for her singing skills, wow, just listen to her! ‘Oh! Wow! Ah!’ She sounds fantastic!

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t wait to get my hands on the new merchandise for Moana 2! There’s going to be a fresh American Girl doll with matching accessories, cool Funko Pop! vinyl figures, Lego building sets that will keep me busy, trendy Popsockets phone holders, and plenty more. Some of these items are already available online at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and other stores, while others will hit the physical shelves in October.

In a continuation three years after the original movie, we find Moana (Cravalho) once more as she teams up with the Hawaiian deity, Maui (Dwayne Johnson), embarking on a thrilling new sea journey at the behest of her ancestor, Tautai Vasa (Gerald Ramsey). The sequel introduces us to Moana’s younger sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), and a fresh group of aspiring sailors (voiced by Hualālai Chung, David Fane, and Rose Matafeo). As suggested in the film’s tagline, “Upon receiving an unforeseen summons from her celestial navigators, Moana must traverse the distant seas of Oceania and into treacherous, forgotten waters for a journey unlike any she has ever encountered.

In the upcoming sequel, stars like Rachel House (portraying Tala in Moana), Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui, and Nicole Scherzinger as Sina will reappear, reprising their roles. Directed by a trio consisting of David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ldoux Miller, the film titled Moana 2 boasts music from Grammy-winning composers such as Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, best known for their work on the hit TikTok album Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, and Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i.

In May, the trailer for “Moana 2” broke the record for being the most-viewed in Disney Animation and Pixar’s history. While Auli’i Cravalho provides the voice for the film’s daring main character, she won’t be portraying her in the live-action adaptation. (However, it should be noted that she did star as Ariel in a live-action production of “The Little Mermaid Live!” back in 2019.)

In 2013, Alicia announced on Instagram Reels that, as an executive producer for the film, she was eager to assist in discovering the actress who would embody Moana’s brave heart, sharp wit, and deep emotional resilience. It’s a great privilege for me to be handing over this role to the next young woman of Pacific Island heritage, as she will have the opportunity to represent and honor our remarkable cultures, peoples, and communities that have played such a significant part in shaping her story.

At the second Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti Conversations panel earlier this year, she shared her thoughts. “When I was given that role at 14 years old, I didn’t fully comprehend the weight of responsibility it would carry. It’s inaccurate for me to represent all the Pacific. I eagerly await seeing more diverse faces in the audience and, crucially, more faces behind the scenes – in the writers room, as showrunners, producers, and industry leaders. Having to respond to everyone’s questions is overwhelming,” she expressed.

After viewing Cravalho’s unboxing video above, as well as the latest trailer for Moana 2, continue your journey by exploring the array of new Disney sequel merchandise available below. This includes a variety of toys, books, costume accessories and much more to help you immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Moana even further.

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2024-09-29 14:24