Characters and Cast Revealed in Promo Images for Disney's MOANA
Disney has released some new promo images from their upcoming animated adventure film Moana. They give us our first look at several of the characters that will be in the movie, and the studio also revealed the main cast of actors who will be voicing these characters. Some of these actors include Jemaine Clement, Rachel House, and Alan Tudyk.
Moana looks like a wonderful film, the story of which follows the journey of a 16-year-old girl (Auli‘i Cravalho) who dreams of becoming a master wayfinder. She teams up with the mighty demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to fulfill an ancient quest.
When talking about the cast of the film, co-director John Musker said:
“Our assembled voice cast for this film is beyond our wildest dreams. We are so fortunate to have this group of talented actors, many from Oceania, breathing life into their characters.”
Clements added;
“We are so thankful to have found such extraordinary people who not only capture the voices of these characters, they elevate them in every way.”
Now I present to you the newly revealed characters who will be in Moana:
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.
The roster of characters also includes the KAKAMORA, an intense team of crazy, coconut-armored pirates who will stop at nothing to get what they want, and PUA, Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain.
Moana is set to be released in theaters on November 23rd, 2016.