Moana made a radical shake-up to Disney’s catalog when it was released in November 2016. The film’s immersion in Polynesian culture and representation of ancient spiritual mythology and traditions were unprecedented from a major Hollywood studio. The film was a high point for cultural representation in cinema, while also being a compelling piece of entertainment. Much of the film’s success can be attributed to its stellar voice cast, an ensemble of some of the most famous stars in the world (Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger) as well as lesser-known talents who are part of the culture at the heart of the film. Moana.

Of Moana 2′When the film is released on November 27, audiences can expect to see it reunite with their favorite characters from the original, in addition to a few new additions to the cast. While much of the film’s plot remains under wraps, the new faces populating Moana’s island promise an expansion of the cultural mythology established in the first film.

Come on Moana 2 visiting cinemas, Entertainment weekly explores the voices behind the film, including returning favorites and new friends.

Auli’i Cravalho as Moana

Auli’i Cravalho was born on November 22, 2000 in Kohala, Hawaii. She made her acting debut in Moanain which she plays the eponymous role of the chief’s daughter, charged with finding the heart of Te Fiti, the goddess of nature, and thereby preserving the sanctity of her homeland, Motunui Island.

After MoanaCravalho played live-action roles in NBC’s short-lived series To get up (2018) and the Hulu original film Darby of the dead (2022). In addition to reprising the role of Moana in Ralph disconnects the internet (2018), she played the role of Janis ‘Imi’ike (formerly Janis Ian) in the musical remake of Mean girls (2024).

Dwayne Johnson as Maui

Dwayne Johnson stars alongside Cravalho as demigod and expert wayfinder Maui, who stole Te Fiti’s heart in an attempt to grant humanity the power of creation. Maui was considered a hero until he stole (and then lost) Te Fiti’s heart and cursed humanity. Years later, he gets the chance to redeem himself when Moana tracks him down and convinces him to locate the heart with her.

Johnson got his start in the WWE before graduating to a successful acting and producing career. He is best known for his role as the stubborn cop Luke Hobbs in the film The Fast and furious franchise and for roles in San Andreas (2015), Jumanji: Welcome to the jungle (2017), and Jungle cruise (2021). Johnson will double in theaters this holiday season, starring in the lead role Red as a mercenary tasked with rescuing a kidnapped Santa Claus.

Temuera Morrison as Tui

New Zealand’s Temuera Morrison plays Moana’s ever-present helicopter father, who is also the respected chief of Motunui Island. Morrison has had a long career at Disney, starting in 2002 when he played Jango Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. He voiced Boba Fett in several Star Wars video games and the character also re-titled for the 2004 re-release The empire strikes back (1980). Morrison also played Tom Curry Aquaman (2018) and its sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).

Nicole Scherzinger as Sina

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger voices Sina, Moana’s outspoken mother who works alongside her husband as Motunui’s chief. Hawaiian-born Scherzinger is a singer, songwriter and actor who was part of the Pussycat Dolls from 2003 to 2010 and was also a judge on talent programs such as The X factor And The Masked Singer. In 2010 she won the 10th season of Dancing with the stars. She appeared inside Rent (2010) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; and in that of Andrew Lloyd Webber Cats (2014). She currently plays the role of Norma Desmond in Webber’s Sunset Boulevard musical.

Rachel House as Tala

Rachel House plays Moana’s maternal grandmother Tala, a kindred spirit of the young woman who shares Moana’s deep love of nature and attachment to the ocean. Tala falls ill and dies at the end of Moanabut she will return in the sequel in the form of a manta ray spirit.

Like Morrison, House comes from New Zealand and made her theatrical debut in 2003 Whale Rider. She voiced Terry in Pixar’s Soul (2020) and Mamá Coco in the Māori dub of Coconut (2017). House is known for her work with director Taika Waititi, having appeared in six of the director’s feature films, including Hunting for the wild people (2016); Thor: Ragnarok (2017); Jojo Rabbit (2019); And Next goal wins (2023).

Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea

Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda joins the cast as Simea, Moana’s 3.5-year-old sister. Moana 2 is the first role for Japanese-born Lambert-Tsuda. Simea “thinks of the world of Moana and misses her terribly as she explores,” according to a Disney character description.

“Simea is Moana’s mini,” Lambert-Tsuda told EW of her character. “She’s cute and energetic, so I wanted to be cute and energetic when I said my lines,” she reflected. “I don’t have a brother or sister in real life, so it was cool to pretend I had one. And it’s Moana, the coolest big sister ever! I wish I could meet her in real life!”

Kevin Webb, one of the film’s lead animators, told EW that with Simea they wanted to create a character that could rival Moana’s formidability. “When we were developing Simea’s personality, a lot of it came from, ‘What would it be like to grow up with a big sister as cool and badass as Moana?'” he said.

He continued, “Simea is becoming as messy and fiery as Moana was when she was little. So we tried to come up with a strong enough personality for her that we could match Moana’s energy on screen, which is really fun. alchemy to play with when you have this three-and-a-half-year-old version of a character who is very unique in his own way, but still connected to Moana.”

Rose Matafeo as Loto

Moana 2 finds Maui introducing the titular heroine to a trio of his fellow wayfinders, who join up to help their cause. Wayfinding is an ancient Polynesian art that involves navigating the open ocean using only the stars in the sky and the natural waves of the water. It was one of many traditional Polynesian rituals spotlighted in the original Moana.

Rose Matafeo plays Loto, a wayfinder described by Disney as “a brilliant but quirky engineer” (aren’t they all?) whose job is to keep the gang’s canoe in order. This sometimes means that “the changes have to be made in real time, regardless of whether the rest of the crew is ready or not.” Matafeo was previously seen in the series Loensers (2018-2019), as Talia; And Star struck (2021-2023), with Jessie.

David Fane as Kele

David Fane plays a farmer who joins the mission to grow food for the hungry journeymen. As one of the elders on Motunui, Kele has seen a lot in his time and doesn’t find the mission all that daring or breathtaking. However, he is a dedicated foodie and despite his grumpy attitude, he takes pride in cooking the best he can for the clan.

Fane is also a New Zealand native best known for his work with Taika Waititi. He played Kevin/Fang Our flag means death (2022–) and performed alongside House at Waititi’s Next goal wins (2023).

Hualalai Chung as Moni

Moni from Hualālai Chung is literally “a (physically) big fanboy” of Maui. A longtime resident of the island, Maui has an encyclopedic knowledge of folklore. Maui represents everything Moni could ever be. “Moni’s size and stature make him a powerful addition to Moana’s team,” Disney enigmatically teases.

Chung is from Hawaii and has played small roles in regional projects such as Rescue: HI-Surf, NCIS: Hawaii (both 2024), and the upcoming live-action Lilo and Stitch remake (2025), in which he plays Animal Control Worker #1. Chung also appeared in an uncredited role in an episode of Crazy men as a ‘fire knife dancer’.

Awhimai Fraser as Matangi

Matangi is described as “a mysterious figure who challenges everything Moana thinks she knows about herself.” There are rumors going around that Matangi will be Moana 2′It’s big bad. In the trailer, Matangi can be heard ominously shouting, “You will be destroyed, and so will your Wayfinder.”

Awhimai Fraser, another New Zealand resident Moana 2‘s ensemble, is having her most prominent exposure yet in Hollywood with Pixar’s sequel, though she’s certainly no newcomer to the industry. Fraser played the role of Becky Reid in 74 episodes of the long-running Auckland medical drama The Kortlandstraat (1992–). She also starred as Chantelle in 95 episodes of the sardonic crime comedy Ahikaroa (2018-2021).

Moana is available to stream on Disney+. Moana 2 can be seen in cinemas from November 27.