Adding to the trend of live-action releases from Disney, the reimaging of Moana is now an official project, with Dwayne Johnson famously announcing the movie on the shores of O’ahu earlier in the year. Though recent news may have confirmed that Auli’i Cravalho would take on the live-action version of her animated character, the star took to Instagram to set the record straight.
When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career. In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.
I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next woman of Pacific Island descent to honor our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures and communities that help inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come. Mahalo.
Auli’i Cravalho, Instagram
