When examining the evolution of the Disney Princess archetype, Moana stands out as a significant leap forward. Despite Maui's sarcastic remark in the first Moana ("If you wear a dress and have an animal sidekick, you're a princess," he quipped), Moana was not a princess in the traditional sense. Instead, she was the rising chief of her people, driven to venture beyond the horizon of Motunui's waters to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her people from impending doom. The upcoming sequel, Moana 2, continues this evolution by not only making Moana a big sister but also by further elevating her status among her people.
"Three years have passed since our first film [in Moana’s world]," Auliʻi Cravalho reveals to Empire, as she reprises her role from 2016. "Moana is now a master voyager," she explains. "She's trying to answer the question of, 'Are there more people out there?'" This quest leads to an actual voyage to unite more people from beyond the line where the sky meets the sea. For Cravalho, it was a heartfelt reunion with a character she deeply 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 also supports the other incarnation of Moana. Alongside the animated sequel, a live-action version is in the works. While Dwayne Johnson will reprise the role of Maui, Catherine Laga’aia will take on Moana's mission. Cravalho, who is Hawaiian, notes that Laga’aia's Samoan heritage will influence this next evolution of Moana. "The stories aren't exactly the same," Cravalho teases. "[Laga’aia]’s got her own history and I think that's going to come across on screen." This reflects the true essence of Moana – always evolving and always striving for the next horizon.
