Moana 2 Star Auli'i Cravalho Praises Character Growth & Musical Evolution In The Disney Sequel (2024)

Disney returns to Motunui in Moana 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 hit animated film, and protagonist Moana (once again voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) has become a respected Tautai. She also has a three-year-old sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), who worships the ground she walks on and makes it that much harder to leave home when the ancestors come calling. But they do indeed come calling, and Moana's wayfinding skills are sorely needed to reunite her people across the ocean.

Moana 2 commences the long journey to the hidden island of Montufetu by granting Moana a crew, which includes three colorful new characters in addition to Pua and Heihei. But when the storm god Nalo's interferes with her voyage to ensure that humans remain separated, it will take the help of an old friend and demigod to get things back on track. Maui (Dwayne Johnson) has his own bone to pick with Nalo, and together with Moana, the duo is more than ready to dive into uncharted waters.

ScreenRant interviewed Cravalho about her journey in Moana 2, including Moana's expanded family and friend group, as well as how that growth was translated into the sequel's music. The actor also spoke effusively about the evolved dynamic between Moana and Maui now that the latter is a master navigator.

Moana Balances Community, Duty & Friendship With Maui In Moana 2

“The idea that Moana may never come back is heartbreaking and tears her in two.”

Screen Rant: Incredible job on Moana 2. Can you elaborate on Moana's inner turmoil after being called by her ancestors? How does she balance the conflict through her emotions and sense of duty?

Auli'i Cravalho: Ooh, great first question. We met Moana three years after we last saw her. She's now a Tautai, a master navigator, and she wants to be out on the water for longer periods of time. But she also has a younger sister, Simea, who's also three. She is vibrant and bold and so similar to Moana.

In many ways, this creates some tension. The stakes have only risen when Moana gets a call from the ancestors to voyage even further than she has before, to reunite the people of the entire Pacific. That means she's leaving not only her mother and father who she loves dearly, but her entire community, who now look up to her as their first Tautai, and her little sister.

I have cousins, and I know when children are at that age, they grow up so quickly. The idea that Moana may never come back is heartbreaking and tears her in two.

Screen Rant: I love the scene where Moana's sister is introduced to the sea, and that the sea is a character in this film. Can you talk about the evolution of her relationship with the ocean in this film?

Auli'i Cravalho: Yes, absolutely. Ocean, as we affectionately call them, is also an animated character. The ocean truly has a role to play and has had Moana's back. When we are leaving Motunui, Moana promises Simea that she will come back and that the ocean really is a friend of hers.

See Also

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The ocean is not animated throughout the entirety of the world, and when Moana journeys into new waters, she doesn't have that support. I feel like growth is such a central theme in this film, and not being able to rely on the same people or the same support group as you did in years prior forces you to grow up.

Screen Rant: Obviously, everybody loves Moana and Maui together. Talk to me about how their relationship has evolved the second time.

Auli'i Cravalho: I feel like in the first film, Moana and Maui's relationship was a little more hierarchical because Maui is a demigod. But this time around, it feels like they're peers. They respect each other. Moana sees Maui still as a mentor, but Maui sees Moana as a Tautai, a master navigator who can hold her own.

In the first film, Moana gets Maui out of a rut. And this film, it's turned on its head. Their friendship is really strong.

Moana 2’s Songwriters Helped Auli'l Cravalho Express Her Character’s Growth Musically

“Beyond is an incredible power ballad written by Barlow & Bear that answers the question of How Far I'll Go."

Screen Rant: Speaking of growth, how do you think Moana's journey reflects the real-life challenges many face in their personal and community obligations?

Auli'i Cravalho: Oh, that's a good one. I always have loved Moana because I feel similarly that she has a great sense of community, a great sense of self, and a fantastic connection to culture. There is a deep sense of knowing that makes her wise beyond her years.

But I have also asked the question that is posed in the song "Beyond." Who am I when I leave home? Who am I when I am miles and miles away from my people? I think "Beyond" is an incredible power ballad written by Barlow & Bear that continues or answers the question of "How Far I'll Go." I'll go beyond.

Screen Rant: You mentioned the songwriters, who captured Moana's growth beautifully. What was it like working with Abigail and Emily on this film?

Auli'i Cravalho: Oh, they're excellent. I adore Abigail and Emily, first of all, as humans. It is really nice when I respect and am in awe of the people that I work with. They are both savants in their own right.

I also really appreciate that they listened to my desire of wanting to show Moana's growth through voice. They already had their lyrics attached to the songs, but listening to Abigail's voice as my scratch meant that I was like, "I want to add a riff here. I want to add something cool here," and that is just so fun to play with.

I first learned all of the music and sang it perfectly, and then the joy of animation is that I do a character run where I throw all the music out the window. It's running and jumping and shouting and just adding life to the song instead. So, I'm as big of a fan of Barlow & Bear as anyone else. And to hear their creation? I love it.

Read More About Moana 2

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

Check out our other Moana 2 interviews here:

Source: Screen Rant Plus

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Moana 2

PG

Animation

Comedy

Fantasy

Musical

Adventure

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.

Director

David G. Derrick Jr. , Jason Hand , Dana Ledoux Miller

Release Date

November 27, 2024

Studio(s)

Walt Disney Pictures , Walt Disney Animation Studios

Distributor(s)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Writers

Dana Ledoux Miller , Jared Bush , Jason Hand , Ron Clements , John Musker

Cast

Auli'i Cravalho , Dwayne Johnson , Alan Tudyk , Rachel House , Temuera Morrison , Nicole Scherzinger , Hualālai Chung , David Fane , Rose Matafeo , Awhimai Fraser , Gerald Ramsey , Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda

Character(s)

Moana , Maui , Hei Hei , Tala , Chief Tui , Sina , Moni , Kele , Loto , Matangi , Tautai Vasa , Simea

Runtime

100 Minutes

Franchise(s)

Disney

prequel(s)

Moana

Main Genre

Animation

Where To Stream

Disney+