
If you’re an avid Disney princess fan who keeps a close eye on your Disney+ movie library and all things Disney, then you have most likely already heard the controversial news about Disney’s plans for a live-action remake of the 2016 animated movie called Moana!
Moana is a movie about a Polynesian princess who sets out on an adventure with Heihei the chicken, Maui the demigod, and the sacred Heart of Te Fiti in order to save the world’s oceans as well as her home island of Motonui.
Responses to this announcement have been mixed since, on one level, Disney fans and Disney princess fans really love the Polynesian princess Moana — and since, on another level, Disney fans have made it clear already that they are sick of Disney’s live-action remakes and that they are longing for some brand-new content in the form of animated movies.
Moana herself is voiced by the popular Hawaiian actress Auli’i Cravalho, who suddenly skyrocketed to stardom after becoming Moana — but so far, we do not actually have confirmation that Auli’i is coming back for her role in the new Moana movie!
Auli’i’s co-star Dwayne Johnson has already made it clear that he is returning to play Maui, and (according to Deadline) Auli’i is at the very least serving as an executive producer on the new Disney film.
Johnson was clearly very excited about his return to the role of Maui, if his video announcement from Hawai’i was any indication, and Auli’i Cravalho did add her two cents on Instagram with the post shown below.
As seen in the post’s caption, Cravalho wrote that “Moana has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses. Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring — to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life.”
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“I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way,” Cravalho finished.
Still, this news will leave many Disney fans unsatisfied, since Auli’i became a Disney fan favorite after her breakout role. Other fans might be happy, however, if Auli’i is cast aside for the live-action role in favor of someone else.
Time will tell, and Disney Fanatic will keep a sharp eye on any news related to Auli’i and this highly-anticipated Disney remake — not to mention news about the Moana-inspired ride in EPCOT that will be coming to Disney World Guests soon!