Live action ‘Moana’ will feature a new actress in the titular role
Photo credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, FILE
Written by: Kira Wilkerson
While Disney has announced their plans to release a live-action version of the 2016 film ‘Moana,’ which grossed over $600 million worldwide upon its initial release, Auli’i Cravalho will not be returning to take on the titular role.
In a post on her instagram Cravalho explained that while taking on the role of Moana when she was 14 years old “wonderfully changed [her] life and started [her] career,” she will not be reprising her role in the live-action version and will instead be working as an executive producer for the film.
Cravalho states “as an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength.”
Cravalho emphasizes the importance of casting the film so that the people and story of the original film are accurately portrayed in the live action. Cravalho also noted that she’s “truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent to honor our incredible peoples, cultures and communities that help inspire her story.”
Although Cravalho won’t be returning as Moana in the live action film, she will be portraying Moana in a musical animated continuation series for Disney that is currently in pre-production and will also be titled “Moana.”
