Auli'i Cravalho returns to the ocean and the magic of Motunui in Disney's upcoming long-awaited sequel, Moaña 2.
The Mean Girls star, 23, who first played the titular Disney princess and adventurer in 2016 when she was 14, confirmed the news that she would be reprising her voice role in an Instagram post she shared on Tuesday .
Cravalho shared a video of her smiling in front of the iconic Walt Disney Animation Studios building in Burbank, California, while lip-syncing to Beyonce's “Texas Hold 'Em” and cheerfully placing a yellow plumeria flower in her hair.
“The feeling of officially returning to Motunui,” Cravalho joked in the caption above the video.
In addition, he confirmed his participation in the title and wrote: “We will sail WAY beyond the reef this November…”
Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed earlier this month that the sequel to the Oscar-nominated animated film is in the works and will be released in November.
“moana continues to be an incredibly popular franchise,” Iger said in a press release, “and we can't wait to bring you more of Moana and Maui when moana 2 hits theaters this November.”
The announcement also came with a first-look image of Moana and Maui on a boat, tracking a giant, glowing whale, as well as a teaser showing the titular heroine standing on the shore and blowing on a shell.
While Dwayne Johnson, who voiced Maui in the first film, has not officially confirmed that he will return, Deadline reports that he is in talks to reprise his roleand it's almost guaranteed to return.
According to Disney's press release about the film's story, “moana 2 takes audiences on an expansive new journey with Moana, Maui, and a new crew of unlikely sailors. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the distant seas of Oceania and dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure the likes of which she has never faced before.”
The film will be directed by Dave Derrick Jr., with music by GRAMMY winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, best known for Unofficial Bridgerton Musical — with GRAMMY nominee Opetaia Foa'i and three-time GRAMMY winner Mark Mancina returning from the original for the sequel.
moana 2 will hit theaters on November 27.
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