Moana's Auliʻi Cravalho says the words 'princess' and 'hero' are now interchangeable
Moana 2 is in cinemas now!
The voice-actress behind one of Disney's most beloved characters says Moana is "at the forefront of a conversation where the words princess and hero are interchangeable." Auliʻi Cravalho, who voices the tenacious waterbabe, joined Angellica, James, and Matt on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show to talk all things Moana 2.
The sequel to Disney's huge blockbuster, set off the Pacific Ocean, was released in cinemas on Friday 29th November — and has already set records for its viewings. Auliʻi tells us why she feels the movie embodies growth...
“It’s been three years since we’ve last seen Moana. And if our last film was about connecting with the past, this film is about connecting with the future. And there’s a real theme of growth," said Auliʻi.
The actress, who also starred in the 2024 Mean Girls movie, told us how her voice has changed since she voiced the first instalment of Moana:
“I do other voice work as well, but Moana was my first. I was cast when I was 14. I just turned 24 a few days ago. But I’ve had this character in my bones for the last 10 years, so it isn’t too difficult to get back to her.
“I remember being a little worried that I’d have to pitch up my voice for the entirety of the sequel. But thankfully she is the first Disney princess to age on screen, and my voice gets to age along with her, which is very nice.”
Watch the trailer for Moana 2...
When asked who is more powerful, a Demigod or a woman on a mission, Auliʻi told Angellica, James, and Matt: "A woman on a mission, because he was stuck on an island before I showed up!" Of course, she's referring to Moana character Maui, shapeshifter and Demigod, voiced by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
She also spoke about the children she meets — and how they sometimes don't believe she's the voice of Moana: "I really love it though when they're at that special age — and I feel like Santa sometimes, where they do believe then that I am Moana. And that feeling like, it takes over my whole body and I'm like 'Yes! Do you want me to sing, do you want me to dance?!' Ah I adore children. And I love that Moana is such a role model for young men and women."
The self-confessed real-life waterbaby also revealed to the Hits Breakfast team that she trained for the USA swim team and competed in paddling competitions as a youngster. Sounds like Auliʻi was made for the part!
When is Moana 2 in cinemas?
It arrived in cinemas on 29th November 2024.
Now check out these Disney movies which are getting a live-action remake...including Moana!
Mufasa: The Lion King
Release date: 20th December 2024
Remake of: Prequel to The Lion King (2019)
Set to come out near Christmas 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King follows on from The Lion King live-action remake from 2019, and will see Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen reprise their roles as Timon and Pumbaa and take on a bigger role. Also returning will be John Kani as Rafiki, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. The film is a prequel story following Mufasa and how he became King - with the trailer dropping in April 2024.
Other cast members include Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki, Preston Nyman as Zazu, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandiwe Newton as Taka's mother Eshe, Lennie James as Taka's father Obasi, Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa's mother Afia, Keith David as Mufasa's father Masego and Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala.
Snow White
Release date: 21st March 2025
Remake of: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Yep, classic tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is also getting a remake! Filming for the film is expected to start in 2022, and it is reported that it will feature original songs written by Pasek and Paul - the duo behind hit films La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman. The film will be with us in 2024.
Rachel Zegler, who made her feature film debut in Steven Spielberg's version of West Side Story in 2022, is set to star in the leading role, alongside Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot, who will be stepping into the villain role.
Moana
Release date: 10th July 2026
Remake of: Moana (2016)
Dwayne Johnson confirmed in a sweet video in April 2023 that he would be reprising his role as demigod Maui in a live-action remake of Moana! He admitted that the project was in the very early stages, but that he couldn't wait to get going. His co-star from the 2016 original, Auli'I Cravalho, also confirmed that she would be returning to the franchise, but later announced that she would not be reprising her role as the titular character. Catherine Laga'aia was announced to have been cast as Moana in June 2024 - we can't wait to see her take on the role!
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Status: Announced
Remake of: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
In January 2019, a live-action remake of The Hunchback of Notre Dame was announced after actor Josh Gad revealed he was helming the new project. Josh, who is the voice of Olaf the Snowman in the Frozen film franchise and starred in the live-action remake of The Beauty and the Beast in 2017, reveal that he'd taken a trip to Paris in January 2019 to research the film.
Posting a photo of himself under the famous Notre Dame cathedral in the French capital city, he cryptically wrote: 'Sing the bells, bells, bells Bells, bells, bells, bells, bells...'
The remake has been confirmed by People magazine, and Deadline have revealed that original composer Alan Menken will team up with Stephen Schwartz to write the music - although we're hoping that they keep most of the original songs!
The original 1996 film was very loosely based on the original 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, and was given the Disney treatment to remove some of the heavier topics from the book - although is still considered to be one of the darker Disney films.
Lilo & Stitch
Status: Summer 2025
Remake of: Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Very little is known at this stage what will be in the film, but a live-action reboot of Lilo & Stitch was announced in February 2020. However, we do know that Maia Kealoha will play Lilo, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong will play her sister Nani and that Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen have also signed on.
The original film's writer, director and voice of Stitch, Chris Sanders, will be returning to voice the character again. Dean Fleischer Camp will take on direction after the success of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, and the film will land in cinemas in Summer 2025.
Aladdin 2
Status: Announced
Remake of: Sequel to Aladdin (2019)
In February 2020, it was announced that Disney were pursuing a sequel to the live-action Aladdin, which was released in 2019. So far, all we know is that the writers Andrea Berloff and John Gatins are returning, but there's no word on whether the cast or director, Guy Ritchie, will be reuniting with Disney for the project.
It's also being reported that the new film will not take any inspiration from the original animated film's sequels: Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, and will be a totally new story.
The film is likely to have a theatrical release, instead of being put directly onto Disney's streaming service, Disney+.
In September 2021, Mena Massoud, who starred in the 2019 film, told Screen Rant: "They're working on it. They're trying to make it happen. That's really all I know. As you know, usually actors are the last piece of the puzzle, so the studio has got a lot to worry about before they start thinking about the actors.
"Obviously, I would hope that all of us come back and Naomi, Will and I all come back and the rest of the cast, Marwan, Navid, Nasim, everybody. But right now, as far as I know, they're just working on the script and trying to make it happen."
Disney were also reportedly looking into a prequel for Aladdin entitled Genies, focusing on Will Smith's character - although he wasn't linked to the project. However, that was scrapped in May 2021. There's also a rumoured spin-off, to focus on the character of Prince Anders from the 2019 film starring Billy Magnussen.
Hercules
Status: Announced
Remake of: Hercules (1997)
Hercules is in line for a live-action remake, with Joe and Anthony Russo AKA The Russo Brothers - best known for being the brains behind Avengers: Endgame and Infinity War - will produce the film, but not direct it. Guy Ritchie was attached to direct initially, but it's since been rumoured that he's left the project.
Writing the script will be Dave Callaham, who wrote the Expendables film series and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as Wonder Woman 1984 and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2. In April 2024, the Russo brothers confirmed they had not yet had a script for the project, but that it was still happening.
Although it's still too early to confirm any cast members, fans are keen for Miss 'God is a Woman' herself, Ariana Grande, to take on the role of Megara, following the singer's cover of 'I Won't Say I'm in Love' during The Disney Family Singalong in 2020.
Robin Hood
Status: Rumoured
Remake of: Robin Hood (1973)
Rumours began swirling in April 2020 that Disney were planning to tackle Robin Hood for the live-action treatment. According to Empire Online, the corporation will be remaking the beloved fox and bear combo of Robin Hood and Little John - but will they keep them as animals or turn them into people? Only time will tell.
The publication reports that Carlos Lopez Estrada has signed on as director, having previously worked on the likes of Blindspotting and Billie Eilish's music video for 'When the Party's Over', and that the script will be written by Kari Granlund, who wrote the recent remake of Lady and the Tramp, and also worked on Godmothered - another Disney film starring Isla Fisher.
Bambi
Status: Announced
Remake of: Bambi (1942)
Again, not much is known about this remake so far, but it reported that it will be made with CGI just like The Jungle Book and The Lion King.
Confirming the remake, Variety reported that screenwriters Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Lindsey Beer (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser) will write the screenplay, with Chris and Paul Weitz's Depth of Field producing.
Beauty and the Beast prequel series
Status: Rumoured
Remake of: Beauty and the Beast (1991) and sequel to Beauty and the Beast (2017)
There's a new series in the pipeline, a sequel about the character Le Fou from Beauty and the Beast! Fans will remember the character being a lapdog to Gaston, a potential love interest of Belle - the eponymous Beauty.
In the live-action remake, actor Josh Gad played the character as gay and had an unrequited love for Gaston, and the new series is going to focus on these two characters as a prequel before the events of the Beauty and the Beast film.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Once Upon a Time creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz will be writing the show, and it's been described as a "six-episode musical event". Composer Alan Menken will also return to write new music.
The Aristocats
Status: Announced
Remake of: The Aristocats (1970)
A live-action remake of The Aristocats is in the pipeline, with Jimmy Fallon's house band the Roots member Questlove directing. Not much else is known about the film at this point, but we do know that it'll be a mix of live-action performances and CGI.
Now read:
All the details we know so far about Disney's upcoming live-action remakes
All of the Disney films out in 2024 and beyond
First trailer released for Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King