It’s time to meet your latest Disney princess, Moana.
Almost a year ago, Walt Disney Animation Studios announced a brand-new film called “Moana!” Slated for 2016, the film is about a young teenager named Moana, who goes on an “impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest,” according to the film’s announcement. The movie is expected to take place during ancient times in Oceania in the South Pacific.
More details about the story came this summer, when action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced he would voice one of the film’s leads at Disney’s D23 Expo, according to US Weekly. Images of the forthcoming film were released at that time, too.
Now, we have our first look at the princess, who will be voiced by 14-year-old Auli’i Cravalho of Oahu, according to People magazine.
Auli’i told People she didn’t think she had a shot at the role, so she didn’t audition. But after a local agent saw her sing during a charity competition, she was brought in to be cast as the next Disney princess.
And she’s loved it ever since.
“Moana is such an amazing character,” Auli’i told People. “She’s brave, she is so empowered, she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to get it, and I think that’s something that I can relate to as well. I just love watching how she goes along in this wonderful movie and grows as a person and helps her culture along the way.”
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