Some fantastic new looks have come forth for Disney’s animated epic Moana which is set to be released in theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. The voice actors and first looks at the characters have been revealed by Disney, and this movie just keeps looking better and better.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
Auli’i Cravalho will be voicing the lead role character of Moana and it is known that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the voice of demigod Maui.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
Those two have been seen before in some of the artwork and teaser trailers for Moana, but there has not been a look at many others. Disney has finally revealed some of the very interesting faces and creatures that they will encounter on their great journey.
Here are some of the new characters introduced for Moana and who will voice them in the animated feature due out later this year.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) provides the voice of Tamatoa, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. The conceited crustacean wants to be more than a “bottom feeder” and overcompensates for this perceived shortcoming by covering himself in all things shiny.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones) voices Moana’s father, Chief Tui, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. Chief Tui wants Moana to follow in his footsteps as leader of their people, but fears his daughter’s draw to the ocean and the world that lies beyond their reef.
Nichole Scherzinger (Grammy®-nominated singer) voices Moana’s mother, Sina, who always has her daughter’s back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water, but also wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
Rachel House (Whale Rider, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) lends her voice to Gramma Tala, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. Although her son Tui, the chief of Motunui, is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala most definitely dances to the beat of her own drum.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
Alan Tudyk, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6), is behind the voice of HeiHei. Heihei is one dumb rooster—the village idiot, in fact. When the clueless chicken accidentally stows away on Moana’s canoe, he lands a front-row seat for her epic journey.
Editor’s Note: It’s really hard to think that HeiHei isn’t the long lost relative of Becky from Finding Dory.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
The roster of characters also includes the Kakamora, an intense team of crazy, coconut-armored pirates who will stop at nothing to get what they want, and Pua, Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain.
Image via Walt Disney Animation
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