I Know The Perfect Way Auli’i Cravalho Can Still Appear In Moana’s Live-Action Remake

Summary

• Auli’i Cravalho won’t reprise the live-action
  Moana
  role but will return as producer, leaving room for a new lead in Catherine Laga’aia.
• Cravalho would be a great choice to play Te Fiti in the live-action remake, adding depth and connecting to the film’s spiritual themes.
• Original plans for Te Fiti’s speaking role in the first film were scrapped, but reintroducing Cravalho as the goddess could set the live-action
  Moana
  apart.

Like many, I felt a twinge of disappointment to learn that Auli’i Cravalho would not be returning to the world of Motunui for the live-action Moana. Contributing her vocal talents to the anthem “How Far I’ll Go,” Cravalho was a breakout star in 2016’s Moana and breathed life into the Disney film. However, Cravalho was already 23 by the time she announced (in May 2023) that she would not be in the live-action Moana as she had already aged out of the part.

It was recently announced that Dwayne Johnson would be the only returning actor to the live-action Moana, and Moana herself would be played by Catherine Laga’aia. Like Cravalho was when she starred in the Disney film, Laga’aia is a teenager and relatively unknown, so her part in the live-action Moana will be her first major role. Cravalho has not been completely ousted from the Moana universe, as she will still return to the live-action film as a producer. As I reflect on Moana and its key characters, I can’t help but note another way that Cravalho could factor into the story.

Auli’i Cravalho Could Play Te Fiti In Moana’s Live-Action Remake

Cravalho Is Too Young To Play Other Moana Characters

If I were to place Cravalho in any role in the live-action Moana, it would be as Te Fiti. Though the character does not have a speaking role in the 2016 version of Moana, the green, life-creating goddess is a crucial piece of the lore surrounding the film. She used her powers to create the Polynesian islands, which includes Moana’s home of Motunui.

Though she will not be playing the live-action Moana, Auli’i Cravalho will be returning for
Moana 2
, which hits theaters on November 27.

Other than Te Fiti, there are not a lot of other roles in the world of Motunui that Cravalho is fit to play. Though it would be heartwarming to see Cravalho play a direct family member of Moana, the actress is still too young to play Grandma Tala or Moana’s mother, Sina. The live-action Moana could, of course, add a sister to the lead character, but I feel that this addition would detract from Moana’s independence as an only child.

Auli’i Cravalho Can Help Restore Moana’s Original Te Fiti Plan

Te Fiti Was Supposed To Have A Bigger Role In Moana

My proposed Te Fiti tie-in would not be completely out of left field for the Moana franchise. According to plans from Disney, Te Fiti was originally supposed to be a speaking role in the 2016 animated film, but the idea was scrapped, and she was relegated to a silent presence. With the opportunity to retool the story in the live-action version of Moana, Disney could return the story to its original plans for Te Fiti.

I am uninterested in yet another near one-to-one live-action remake of a Disney classic (think: 2019’s
The Lion King
), and with the live-action
Moana
arriving only 10 years after the original, it has to do something different to be worth the remake.

As much as I would like Cravalho to come back as Te Fiti, there is still something elegant about the goddess’ silence in the original film. Te Fiti’s presence is visualized on screen at the beginning of the film and when she becomes the evil Te Ka, but this omnipotence is harnessed without words. It also makes audiences focus more on the visuals of Te Fiti’s heart being restored rather than being distracted by dialogue.

Giving Te Fiti a bigger role, however, would allow the live-action Moana to stand out from its animated counterpart. I am uninterested in yet another near one-to-one live-action remake of a Disney classic (think: 2019’s The Lion King), and with the live-action Moana arriving only 10 years after the original, it has to do something different to be worth the remake. Reworking Te Fiti, especially under the acting talents of the beloved Cravalho, could be a great way for 2026’s Moana to accomplish this distinction.

Auli’i Cravalho’s Te Fiti Casting Can Unite Her With Catherine Laga’aia’s Moana

Casting Cravalho As Te Fiti Would Connect Gracefully With The Film’s Themes

When I watched Moana for the first time, I was struck by how closely tied the film was to ideas of spirituality and connections with one’s ancestors. This is seen most prominently through the role of Grandma Tala in the film, but Te Fiti also plays a key role. As such, it would also be heartwarming to see Cravalho return to the universe of Moana in this spiritual protector role. Just as the community of Motunui learns through the passing of generational knowledge, Cravalho could pass the torch while her presence is still felt.

When she revealed that she would not be returning for the live-action Moana, Cravalho spoke about how pivotal Moana was to her career. She wanted another young actress to get to experience this joy and career boost, benevolently ceding her time in the spotlight. But it doesn’t have to be this simple. Cravalho, who made Moana what it is, can still stay connected with the world of Motunui in playing the role of Te Fiti.