When you sit down to watch Disney's Moana, it's easy to get lost in the bioluminescent waves and that earworm of a soundtrack. But honestly, the secret sauce that makes the 2016 animated classic actually work isn't just the CGI. It's the people behind the microphones. Finding the right cast of Moana the movie was a massive gamble for Disney. They didn't just want "big names"; they wanted voices that felt like they belonged to the Pacific Islands.
The Breakout: Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana
You’ve probably heard the story by now. Auliʻi Cravalho was the very last girl the casting directors saw during an island-wide search. She was only 14 at the time! Before this, she was just a high schooler in Hawaii. She wasn't even going to audition because she thought the talent on YouTube was already too good.
Fast forward a few months, and she’s standing on the Oscars stage.
What’s wild is how much she is Moana. In the recording booth, she reportedly did a lot of the same physical movements as her character. When Moana is struggling with an oar, Auliʻi was likely huffing and puffing in real life. That authenticity is why the character doesn't feel like a "Disney Princess" archetype. She feels like a kid you might actually know.
The Demigod in the Room: Dwayne Johnson
Then there’s "The Rock."
Dwayne Johnson as Maui is probably one of the most perfect casting choices in modern animation. You can tell he’s having the time of his life. Maui is arrogant, sensitive, and hilarious—often all at the same time. Johnson has gone on record saying that Maui was inspired by his own grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.
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That personal connection really shows in the song "You're Welcome." Most people didn't even know Dwayne could sing, but he holds his own against those Lin-Manuel Miranda lyrics. It’s also interesting to note that while Johnson is a global superstar, he leaned heavily into his Samoan heritage for this role, which helped ground the film’s larger-than-life demigod in real-world culture.
The Supporting Players You Might Have Missed
The cast of Moana the movie includes some heavy hitters from the Pacific acting world. Honestly, if you’re a fan of New Zealand cinema, this movie is like a "Who's Who" of talent.
- Rachel House (Gramma Tala): She’s basically the soul of the movie. House is a legend in New Zealand (you might recognize her from Hunt for the Wilderpeople). She brings this raspy, mischievous energy to Tala that makes the "village crazy lady" feel like the smartest person in the room.
- Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui): Yeah, that’s Jango Fett/Boba Fett voicing Moana’s dad. He brings a serious, protective weight to the role. Interestingly, while he does the speaking voice, his singing in "Where You Are" was actually a bit of a collaborative effort, though his presence is what makes the Chief feel so commanding.
- Jemaine Clement (Tamatoa): If you thought the giant crab sounded like David Bowie, that was 100% intentional. Clement (half of Flight of the Conchords) turned a 50-foot crustacean into a glam-rock icon. "Shiny" is arguably the weirdest, best part of the whole film.
- Nicole Scherzinger (Sina): The former Pussycat Doll voices Moana’s mother. While the role is smaller, Scherzinger—who is of Hawaiian descent—provided a lot of the emotional grounding for the family dynamic.
The Weirdest Role: Alan Tudyk as Heihei
We have to talk about the chicken.
Alan Tudyk is basically Disney’s "lucky charm" at this point. He’s been in almost every movie they’ve made for a decade. For Heihei, he didn't have a single line of dialogue. It was all clucks, screams, and "brain-dead" noises. Tudyk has joked that he "went to college for this," but his timing is actually what makes the bird funny instead of just annoying.
The Live-Action Shift (2026 and Beyond)
Since we're now in 2026, the conversation around the cast of Moana the movie has shifted toward the live-action remake. This is where things get interesting.
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Dwayne Johnson is actually stepping back into the role of Maui—not just as a voice, but in the flesh. It’s a rare move for a voice actor to reprise a role in a live-action version. On the flip side, Auliʻi Cravalho decided not to play the live-action Moana. She felt it was important for a new, younger girl to have the same life-changing opportunity she had.
That role eventually went to Catherine Laga'aia, a young actress from Sydney with Samoan roots. The live-action cast also pulls in other heavyweights like John Tui (playing Chief Tui) and Frankie Adams (playing Sina). It’s a massive production that’s trying to stay as true to the original 2016 spirit as possible while giving it a fresh look.
Why This Specific Cast Worked
A lot of movies just hire the biggest celebrities they can find to sell tickets. Moana didn't really do that—except for Johnson. They prioritized cultural fit.
Most of the main cast members are of Pasifika descent. This wasn't just for "PR" points; it changed how the characters sounded and felt. There’s a specific cadence and warmth in the voice acting that you only get when people have a deep, personal connection to the stories they’re telling.
Even the smaller roles, like the villagers, were voiced by people within the community. This created a cohesive "sound" for the island of Motunui.
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Moving Forward: How to Explore the Cast Further
If you’re a fan of the performances in the film, you should definitely check out the Te Reo Māori (Māori language) and Hawaiian language dubs.
Most of the original cast of Moana the movie actually returned to re-record their roles in these native languages. Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, and Jemaine Clement all reprised their roles for the Māori version. It’s a totally different way to experience the film and shows how much the actors actually cared about the project beyond just a paycheck.
You can find these versions on most streaming platforms or as special features on the physical releases. Seeing how the humor and emotion translate into the languages that inspired the movie in the first place is honestly pretty cool. If you want to dive deeper into the production, look for the "Voice of the Islands" documentary feature—it shows the actual casting process and the moment Auliʻi found out she got the part. It's a bit of a tear-jerker, but it explains why this cast feels so special.
To get the most out of your next rewatch, pay close attention to the background vocals during the songs. Many members of the "Oceanic Story Trust"—the group of cultural advisors Disney hired—actually provided the choral backing for the tracks, making the music as much a part of the cast as the lead actors themselves.