The last two Walt Disney Animation Studios films, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia, we didn't really know (with the exception of some) who was voicing who until a few months before their release. And it seems Disney thinks this is a really good idea as while we already had some people in the cast of Moana, we've recently gotten news of some new cast members and characters.
First off, let's take a look at who was confirmed long ago.
Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson as Moana and Maui
These are the two we already knew about. Dwayne Johnson was the first to be cast in the film and he even showed up to promote the film last year at D23 Expo. Meanwhile, after searching for a voice, Disney found newcomer, Auli'i Cravalho back in October. When Cravalho was asked to describe the her character, she said "She’s got some serious guts. She’s really courageous and beautiful as well". Also, unlike most Disney princesses, Moana won't have a love interest. Well, at least in the film. Tumblr will go nuts with this character.
Alan Tudyk as Hei Hei
Alan Tudyk, who was been working with Disney since his acclaimed vocal performance in Wreck-It Ralph, was already cast in the movie, but they never said who he was playing. Now he's confirmed to be voicing Hei-Hei, a rooster. Hei-Hei was revealed at D23 Expo. However, when revealed then, he was described as cranky and mean-spirited. The filmakers have rewritten the character and now, he's a complete idiot. Co-Director Ron Clements says "While Hei-Hei is in a sense more anthropomorphic than the other animal characters, he may be stupider than most chickens you have met".
Temuera Morrison and Nicole Scherzinger as Chief Tui and Sina
Temuera Morrison, who you might recognize as Jango Fett and Abin Sur, will play Chief Tui, Moana's overprotective father and village cheif (so we can count Moana as a Disney Princess). According to Clements, Tui has "seen bad things happen because of this imbalance of man and nature, so he wants everybody to stay inside". On the other hand we have his wife and Moana's mother, Sina, who will be voiced by Nicole Scherzinger, former Pussycat Dolls member. Clements says Sina is "very warm and supportive of her daughter, but she’s trying to negotiate the difference between the two of them and be this peacemaker". Remember, they're parents in a Disney movie. So place your bets. Who's dying?
Rachel House as Grandma Tala
Rachel House will voice Tala, Moana's grandmother. While many in the village view her as crazy, she will apparently have a key role in Moana's passion for adventure. Clements says that Tala "has a close relationship with Moana, closer really than her parents in some ways". It's also said she knows of a bigger threat facing her people and "she really helps propel Moana on her journey to solve these things".
Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa
Jemaine Clement is no stranger to animated musicals (He gave an excellent performance in both 'Rio' films), nor is he a stranger to Disney films (He recently appeared as the villiainous Fleshlumpeater in 'The BFG'). This time around, he'll be voicing the villainous, yet comical, Tomatoa, a giant monster crab. He apparently has a history with Maui, and is said to be in possesion of his magic fish hook seen in the trailers. Directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker have even said that Clement gets his own musical number, which is good news for those who loved his work from Rio and Flight of the Concords. Clement has also worked with Taika Waititi, a cowriter on Moana.
Pui
Yeah, just Pui. He's the cute comic relief pig we saw in the trailers. He won't have a voice actor so we can assume he will fall into the camp of silent Disney sidekicks. But, damn it, this pig is adorable.
So that's the cast of Moana. However, we, oddly enough, didn't get any confirmation on who Phillipa Soo (who joined the cast last month) is playing. We kinda got it as she is credited as "Villiger". But does she secrelty have a bigger part. Or is she, indeed, just a villiger.
So what do you think of this cast? Does it get you more interested in the film? Comment below.
Moana is directed by Ron Clements & John Musker (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid) and is written by Clements, Musker, Jared Bush (Zootopia), Pamela Ribon (Samantha Who?), and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok). The film features the voices of Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Philipa Soo, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, and Alan Tudyk. The film features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton). Moana will be released on November 23, 2016.