Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson finally have some company for their South Pacific adventure as Disney’s Moana has announced a batch of voice actors.
The new cast includes Jemaine Clement (Flight Of The Concords, The BFG), Rachel House, Temuera Morrison and Nicole Scherzinger, and the already confirmed Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Rogue One) has been given some character details.
“Our assembled voice cast for this film is beyond our wildest dreams,” said co-director John Musker. “We are so fortunate to have this group of talented actors, many from Oceania, breathing life into their characters.”
Here’s a handy full guide to the cast, illustrated with some lovely pics released by Disney:
First, there’s Moana, played by newcomer Auli’i Cravalho. Moana “spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest”.
Moana’s co-star is the once-mighty Polynesian demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (San Andreas, Hercules), who helps the titular character on her quest.
Alan Tudyk, who has loaned his voice to a handful of well-performing Disney Studios animations over the last couple of years (Big Hero 6, Zootropolis, Wreck-It Ralph), is playing Heihei, a dimwitted rooster who accidentally finds himself coming along for the adventure after stowing away on Moana’s canoe.
The first of the newbies is Jemaine Clement (Flight Of The Concords, The BFG). He’ll be voicing Tamatoa, a self-absorbed 50-foot crab from Lalotai, the realm of monsters, who wants to be more than just a ‘bottom feeder’ and so overcompensates by covering his shell with all things shiny.
Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The Clones) and Nicole Scherzinger (The X-Factor) will voice Moana’s parents. Her father, Chief Tui, is the well-respected leader of Motunui Island’s people, while her mother, Sina, is playful, sharp and strong-willed, and always has Moana’s back.
Rachel House (Whale Rider, Hunt For The Wilderpeople, is voicing Moana’s best friend and confidante Gramma Tala, who shares her connection with the ocean.
Other new characters (that currently don’t have/need voices) include the Kakamora, a group of crazy, coconut-armoured pirates, and Pua, Moana’s lovable and loyal pet pig with the mind of a puppy.
Moana is in UK cinemas from 2 December. Get all the latest fantasy news with every issue of SciFiNow.
