As a movie critic with a background in cultural studies and a soft spot for Disney movies that champion strong female leads, I must say that Moana 2 has me absolutely thrilled! Having grown up in the Polynesian islands myself, seeing Auli’i Cravalho bring Moana to life is like a dream come true.
Actress Auli’i Cravalho, who played the title character Moana in the film, recently talked about reprising her role at the D23 Expo. She discussed with fans how the sequel differs from the original, expressing pride in the movie and her character, as well as her enthusiasm for the future of the franchise. According to Deadline, Cravalho shared that this new Moana is older, more experienced, but still on a journey of self-discovery. She also related deeply with the character, finding it reflective of her own growth. As a Hawaiian, she takes immense pride in being part of Disney’s Polynesian princess, stressing that Moana doesn’t need a prince to save her.
“I find this movie remarkably resonant with our contemporary era, which celebrates female empowerment, resilience, and self-determination.”
As a passionate advocate, I can’t help but share my enthusiasm about the journey of my character, mirroring Cravalho’s resilient spirit as she fearlessly traverses the ocean’s expanse. During our conversation, she reflected on her experience in Moana 2, expressing how profoundly different it has been for her, transitioning from a 15-year-old to an adult. With a sense of humility, she shared her insights. Cravalho graced the D23 stage with a new song from the upcoming film and a dance routine alongside co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Towards the end of our interaction, she left us eagerly anticipating more, hinting at potential sequels after Moana 2.
Before Cravalho’s conversation with the audience today, writer Jared Bush, directors David Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller and producer Christina Chen jointly discussed the upcoming movie with the D23 attendees. Bush delved into their approach for a sequel, pondering “What comes after Moana’s story?” He clarified that sequels for musical films are rare, so they aimed to determine the best way to continue her tale.
In her heart, she yearned for an exciting life beyond the island she adored, yet found it hard to leave. The challenge was to harmoniously blend these desires. Therefore, understanding who she truly is became crucial. There’s much more about herself that she still needs to uncover.
What Is Moana 2 All About?
In 2016, Moana was initially launched with widespread praise, earning more than $643 million globally, two Academy Award nods, and the latest addition to Disney’s lineup of princesses. The narrative centers around Moana, who is selected by the very ocean itself for a quest to reconnect a magical artifact with the goddess Te Fiti. With her village facing ongoing hardships, she embarks on a journey to achieve her predestined role and ventures across the untamed sea in pursuit of Maui, a legendary demigod, who can help restore the artifact and rescue her people.
The upcoming movie, titled “Moana: Three Years On,” picks up three years after the initial storyline, following Moana as she continues her voyage across the ocean in search of others like herself. As requested by her ancestors, Moana embarks on another journey with Maui, the demigod, and fellow sailors, encountering both familiar and new challenges along the way. Original cast members Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk return, with Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, and Hualālai Chung joining the cast for this new adventure in Oceania.
Since the release of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho has been busy with various roles. Some of her recent projects are lead roles in The Power on Amazon (2023), All Together Now on Netflix (2020), Hulu originals such as Crush (2022) and Darby and the Dead (2023). She also played a role in this year’s musical comedy remake of Mean Girls. In the future, after Moana 2, she plans to make her Broadway debut by playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret.
As a die-hard cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the long-awaited sequel to my favorite animated film, “Moana,” is set to hit theaters during Thanksgiving week on November 27, 2024! And here’s the best part: a live-action adaptation is also in the works! Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role, and we have a newcomer to the franchise, Catherine Laga’aia, who’ll be stepping into the shoes of our courageous heroine, Moana. Can’t wait to see what adventures await them both!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-12 15:33