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‘Moana’: Disney Introduces Young Hawaiian Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho As Voice Of Title Character
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Back in August we got our very first look at Disney’s upcoming Moana. The animated musical takes us to the South Pacific world of Oceania where Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. At the time the only person cast was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who voices the male lead Maui, a demi-god who helps Moana on her journey.

Now Disney has found the voice of the title character. In a newly released video, 14-year-old native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho has been confirmed to voice Moana. Check out the very emotional video and the first image of Moana and Maui together below.

I can see why Disney would have wanted to use a virtual unknown so that the talent doesn’t overshadow the film. Though hundreds of people auditioned for the role, it was an unrelated audition Cravalho did as part of an a cappella group, which had been submitted for a talent showcase for a charity that ultimately got her the part. Here’s what Cravalho had to say:

“I didn’t think I would have a chance. When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana””representing my culture in that way.”

Director John Musker said of the Cravalho’s casting:

“She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”

The video introduces us to the young actress who will voice the title character. Though she had already won the part, she was tricked into believing that she had to do more ad-lib, with casting director Rachel Sutton and directors Musker and Ron Clements asking her if she could play it more like they were “telling her they were offering her the role.” Her reaction is priceless, and a bit emotional.

With Moana opening in theaters Thanksgiving of next year, it’s unlikely we will get to see any real footage now. But we will probably see a small teaser during the release of The Good Dinosaur.

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

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[Source: Disney]

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