Auli’i Cravalho Reacts to New ‘Moana 2’ Toys Before the Sequel Splashes Into Theaters in November (Exclusive)

If you are going to buy an independently reviewed services or products by a hyperlink on our web site, The Hollywood Reporter could obtain an affiliate fee.

Auli’i Cravalho is giving Moana followers a sneak peek of the Disney movie’s latest merch earlier than the wayfarer princess of Motonui units sail for the huge display screen this fall.

Forward of Moana 2‘s theatrical release on Nov. 27, Cravalho (who returns as the voice of Moana) unveils the sequel’s upcoming toys with no scarcity of “oohs,” “ahhhs” and “wows” in an unboxing video premiering solely on The Hollywood Reporter above. The 23-year-old Hawaii-born star showcases a slew of holiday-ready merchandise, together with a brand new model of the Disney princess’ light-up shell necklace and a squeaking figurine of Moana’s pet rooster, Hei Hei (“Alan Tudyk would be proud!,” she exclaims), by Jakks Pacific; and a singing Moana doll and canoe playset by Mattel.

“Okay, first of all, she has a lei po’o on [and] the iconic necklace,” Cravalho says of the conventional Hawaiian floral crown on her singing Moana doll. As for the toy’s vocal chops? “Oh! Wow! Ah! You sound good!”

The Mattel and Jakks Pacific gadgets are amongst the upcoming releases for Moana 2, together with a brand new American Woman doll with equipment, Funko Pop! vinyl collectible figurines, Lego constructing units, Popsockets cellphone equipment and extra. Choose merchandise at the moment are accessible on-line at Goal, Amazon, Walmart and different retailers, and can land on brick-and-mortar cabinets starting in October.

Moana 2 follows Moana (Cravalho) three years after the first movie and sees her reuniting with the Hawaiian god, Maui (Dwayne Johnson) for an thrilling new ocean voyage at the name of her ancestor, Tautai Vasa (Gerald Ramsey). The sequel introduces Moana’s little sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda) and a brand new crew of budding seafarers (voiced by Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo). Per the movie’s logline, “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”

Returning stars Rachel Home (Tala, Moana’s grandmother), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui, Moana’s father) and Nicole Scherzinger (Sina, Moana’s mom) additionally reprise their roles in the sequel. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ldoux Miller, Moana 2 will function music by Grammy-winning musicians Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (of the TikTok-famous Unofficial Bridgerton Musical album), three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina and Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i.

In Could, Moana 2 set the document for the most-watched trailer in Disney Animation and Pixar’s historical past. Although Cravalho voices the movie’s adventurous protagonist, she gained’t be enjoying her in the live-action model. (She did, nevertheless, star as Ariel in a live-action particular of The Little Mermaid Dwell! in 2019.)

“As an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength,” Cravalho introduced on Instagram Reels in 2013. I’m really honored to move this baton to the subsequent younger girl of Pacific Island descent to honor our unimaginable peoples, cultures and communities that assist encourage her story.”

She defined the transfer earlier this yr at the second annual Pasifika Leisure Development Komiti Conversations panel. “Receiving that role when I was 14, I didn’t fully realize how much would be put on my shoulders. For me to be a representative of all the Pacific is simply incorrect, so I look forward to seeing more faces in the crowd, and, importantly, more faces behind the camera, in the writers room, as showrunners, as producers, as industry leaders, because having to answer everyone’s questions is too much,” she stated.

Watch Cravalho’s unboxing video above and the official Moana 2 trailer under, and hold scrolling to store the Disney sequel’s new merchandise, together with toys, books, costume equipment and extra.