Actress Auli’i Cravalho stole (but returned) the Heart of Te Fiti in Disney’s “Moana.” We were all kind of hoping she’d be returning for the upcoming live-action version. But, straight from Cravalho herself, she is not. She was 14 when cast for the role, and is now 22. Cravalho says she wans to pass the role onto someone else who embodies the role, and probably fits the age better.
“When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” Cravalho wrote in an Instagram post. “In this live-action retelling, I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital that casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell. I can’t wait to find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength.”
She will be an executive producer on the film. Co-star Dwayne Johnson will be reprising his role of Maui in the film, as well as being an executive producer.
