HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaii teen was chosen to star as the voice of the main character in Disney’s upcoming animated feature “Moana.” ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaii teen was chosen to star as the voice of the main
HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaii teen was chosen to star as the voice of the main character in Disney’s upcoming animated feature “Moana.”
Aulii Cravalho, 14, of Mililani will voice the title part of Moana, a teenager who aspires to become a master navigator in ancient Oceania. Actor Dwayne Johnson will be the voice of demigod Maui.
“I didn’t think I would have a chance,” Aulii said in a news release. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana — representing my culture in that way.”
The movie will be led by veteran filmmakers Ron Clements and John Musker, who created “The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog” and “Aladdin.”
Musker said Aulii was a good fit for the part as she has many things in common with Moana.
“Aulii demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and callbacks,” Musker said. “She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
The movie is set for release in November 2016.
