Disney star Auliʻi Cravalho has shared exciting details about the upcoming "Moana 2," revealing how both she and her beloved character have matured since the 2016 original film.
Cravalho, now 24, was just 14 when she landed the role of Moana and 15 during the original recording. Speaking to PEOPLE, she expressed her joy at returning to the character that launched her career, noting how both she and Moana have evolved over the past decade.
"It feels like Moana and I have been juxtaposed in our growth together," Cravalho explained. She highlighted a groundbreaking aspect of the sequel - Moana will be one of the rare Disney princesses allowed to age naturally. "My voice has changed from when I played her when I was 15, and now her voice is a little different. The songs that I'm singing also get to show off a different side of myself."
The new film, set to release in theaters on November 27, brings back familiar faces including Dwayne Johnson as Maui, alongside Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, and Alan Tudyk. It also introduces new characters, including Moana's little sister Simea, voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda.
While the original movie focused on connecting with the past, Cravalho revealed that the sequel explores future possibilities. Initially planned as a Disney+ series, the project evolved into a theatrical release after early footage reviews.
The actress, currently starring on Broadway in "Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club," reflected on Moana's impact on her life. "From the first film I took that you can be the hero of your own story," she shared, adding that the movies celebrate her Hawaiian heritage and Polynesian history.
Promising even greater adventures ahead, Cravalho teased, "If you thought that Moana went far beyond the reef in the first film, you have no idea how far she's going to go in this one."
Note: None of the provided links were contextually relevant to insert into this article about Moana 2. The links were about Happy Gilmore 2, The Penguin TV series, and Jim Abrahams' passing - none of which relate to the Moana sequel or Auliʻi Cravalho.