If you look at the evolution of the Disney Princess archetype, Moana has long represented a significant leap. Despite Maui’s sardonic reading of her in the first Moana (“If you wear a dress, and have an animal sidekick, you’re a princess,” he told her), she was quite literally not a princess – instead the rising chief of her people, driven to venture beyond the horizon of the waters around Motunui in her mission to restore the heart of Te Fiti, and save her people from ruin. Now, upcoming sequel Moana 2 continues that evolution in a major way – not just making Moana a big sister now, but continuing her rising stature among her people.
“Three years have passed since our first film [in Moana’s world],” Auliʻi Cravalho tells Empire, as she returns to the role she first voiced back in 2016. “Moana is now a master voyager,” she explains. “She’s trying to answer the question of, ‘Are there more people out there?’” Cue an actual voyage to unite more people from beyond the line where the sky meets the sea. And for Cravalho, it was a reunion with a character she loves. “It’s really like coming home... I don’t have to do anything to get back into voicing her,” she says. “[Moana] and I are still super-tight. I understand her.”
Cravalho is supportive, too, of the other incoming incarnation of Moana. As well as the animated sequel, work is underway on a live-action version – and while Dwayne Johnson will reprise the role of Maui, it’ll be down to Catherine Laga’aia to take on Moana’s mission. While Cravalho is Hawaiian, Laga’aia has Samoan heritage – and it sounds like the next evolution of Moana will take that into account. “The stories aren’t exactly the same,” teases Cravalho. “[Laga’aia]’s got her own history and I think that’s going to come across on screen.” That’s the true heart of Moana – always evolving, and always pushing for the next horizon.
Read Empire’s full Moana 2 story in the 40 Years Of The Terminator issue – on sale Thursday 26 September. Pre-order a copy online here. Moana 2 comes to UK cinemas from 29 November.