Dwayne Johnson Lends His Voice to Disney's Moana

Johnson will voice Maui, a demi-god who aids the title young girl on her monster-packed sea voyage. Besides being the main man of Polynesian mythology, Maui is also the name of the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and one of the big port excursions on the Disney Cruise Line.

This will be Johnson’s first feature voice-over role since 2009’s Planet 51, although he has done guest spots on shows like “Family Guy” and “Transformers Prime.” The central role of Moana Waialiki herself has yet to be cast.

In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.

Directed by animation vets Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid), Moana will be released on November 23, 2016.

(Photo Credit: WENN)

Moana

Moana
Moana
Moana
Moana

MOANA visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.
Moana

MAUI visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.
Moana

MOANA village costume designs. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.
Moana

MAUI Hawk visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters
Moana

MOANA village costume design. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.
Moana

MOANA effects progression image, featuring Animation (top), Simulation (middle), and Render (bottom) passes.
Moana

Visual development for the island of Motunui. Artist: Ian Gooding, MOANA Production Designer.
Moana

Visual development for the island of Motunui, and the layout of the village. Artist: Andy Harkness, MOANA Art Director, Environments and Color.
Moana

MOANA visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.
Moana

MOANA visual development. Artist: Jin Kim, Visual Development Artist.
Moana

"MINI MAUI" animation test still frame. Artist: Eric Goldberg, Animation Supervisor.
Moana

"MINI MAUI" expression sheet. Artist: Eric Goldberg, Animation Supervisor.
Moana

The MOANA story team was charged with saving the character "Heihei" from being cut from the film. These story boards illustrate an action sequence from the film in which the Kakamora are trying to steal the Heart of Te Fiti from Moana and Maui. In the initial version (top row), the Kakamora steal the heart and are pursued by Moana who captures it back. In the new versoin (bottom row), rooster Heihei first swallows the Heart of Te Fiti, and the chase ensues between the Kakamora and Moana, only this time they're fighting to maintain posession of Heihei. Artist: Sunmee Joh, Story Artist.
Moana

MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Features Story Artist David Derrick's family tapa print. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.
Moana

MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.
Moana

MOANA story artist, David Derrick, learns tapa painting during a research trip.
Moana

The MOANA filmmakers embarked upon research trips to the Pacific Islands to learn about the cultures that inspired the film. They were given the opportunity to assemble the "Oceanic Story Trust," a group of anthropologists, archeologists, fishermen, liguists, tatto masters, dancers and elders who help keep the film's story grounded in respect for the cultures that inspired it.
Alan Tudyk is Heihei

ALAN TUDYK, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”), is behind the voice of HEIHEI, a dumb rooster who accidently stows away on Moana’s canoe. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Temuera Morrison is Chief Tui & Nicole Scherzinger is Sina

TEMUERA MORRISON (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) voices Moana’s father, CHIEF TUI, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. NICOLE SCHERZINGER (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End's "Cats") 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. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Rachel House is Gramma Tala

RACHEL HOUSE (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) voices GRAMMA TALA, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Jemaine Clement is Tamatoa

JEMAINE CLEMENT (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) provides the voice of TAMATOA, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Moana

Young Moana interacting with the Ocean.
Moana
Moana

MOANA is an adventurous, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she 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 featuring newcomer Auli'I Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Moana

MAUI is a demigod—half god, half mortal, all awesome. Charismatic and funny, he wields a magical fishhook that allows him to shapeshift into all kinds of animals and pull up islands from the sea. Featuring Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Moana

In "Moana," Walt Disney Animation Studios' upcoming big-screen adventure, a spirited teenager named Moana (left) sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder. Along the way, she meets once-mighty demi-god Maui (right). Featuring Native Hawaiian newcomer Auli'i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, and Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, "Moana" sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Moana
Moana
Moana
Moana
Inner Workings