Disney’s MOANA! Arriving *Thanksgiving weekend
Attending Disney SMMC we were all given a sneak peak of Moana that's hitting theaters Thanksgiving weekend. When I heard the story of Moana, the research work that was collected, how Auli'i Cravalho was tricked into “show us how you would react knowing you got the part”, I cried like a baby. I cried tears of joy as any mother would. I put myself in her moms shoes, if my son said he got something he wanted, I'd cry out of happiness knowing that his life will forever be changed by an experience of this magnitude. Now opportunities will be presented to her and most importantly she's part of something that's bigger than all of us, Disney! With Disney behind you, you're unstoppable, the world is your oyster Auli'i Cravalho. Auli'i was discovered at a recital, wait for it, she was the last one to audition for the part. Literally the very last girl to audition, when they told her she had the part she was beside herself. They showed us the video of the producers telling Auli'i she got the part and when Auli'i called her mom. I’m in love with this little girl, her light will shine bright. Auli'i will be turning 16 when the premier is to take place, I think this is an awesome sweet 16 present.
~Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new feature film “Moana” is about an adventurous teenager who, with help from demigod Maui, sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and save her people. Here are some notes regarding Moana, I loved reading about the inside scoop so I thought I'd share with you!
Filmmakers auditioned hundreds of talented young women throughout the Pacific Islands before finding the gifted Native Hawaiian Auli’i Cravalho, who did not initially pursue the coveted role. The film’s Hawai’i-based casting director recalled her singing performance from a video submission for a fundraiser/talent showcase and asked Auli’i to come in and try out. Three auditions later, including her first trip to Burbank, Calif., she earned the title role, thanks to raw talent
Dwayne Johnson stars in the critically acclaimed “Ballers” for HBO, directed by Peter Berg. Last year, he starred in the blockbusters “Furious 7” and “San Andreas.” Up next, Johnson appears in “Central Intelligence” opposite Kevin Hart for New Line, the big-screen adaptation of “Baywatch” and “Fast 8.”
The diverse and dynamic team behind the film’s inspired music include Tony®-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and multiple Tony-winning “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Speed,” “Tarzan” “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka).
Directors Ron Clements and John Musker made their writing-directing debut on the 1986 feature “The Great Mouse Detective.” They went on to write and direct some of Disney’s most beloved animated classics, including the undersea adventure “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, the hilarious hit “Aladdin” in 1992, 1997’s epic comedy “Hercules” and, most recently, 2009’s “The Princess and the Frog.”
Producer Osnat Shurer served as the executive producer of the shorts group at Pixar Animation Studios, responsible for Pixar's short films, as well as all DVD bonus materials. While at Pixar, Shurer produced or executive produced a host of hit shorts, including the Oscar®-nominated “Lifted” (2006), “One Man Band” (2005) and “Boundin’” (2003).
Keep up with all the Moana action on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumbler and Disney Moana! See you Thanksgiving weekend at the theaters.