Moana 2 Cast: Full Voice Actors List, Characters & Returning Stars (2024)

Disney’s 2024 animated sequel brings back beloved voices from the original Moana while introducing a fresh crew of characters. The film follows Moana three years after her first voyage as she reunites with the demigod Maui and assembles a wayfinding crew to find the lost island of Motufetu and break its curse. The cast combines returning performers who established the franchise with talented newcomers representing Pacific Islander communities.

The production evolved significantly during development, shifting from its original format as a Disney+ series to a theatrical release. This change influenced how the voice cast was assembled and announced. Several performers reprised their iconic roles, while others joined the project as part of Moana’s newly formed crew of navigators.

Understanding the complete cast breakdown helps viewers recognize the voices behind their favorite characters and appreciate the diverse talent contributing to the film’s representation of Polynesian cultures.

Who Is in the Full Cast of Moana 2?

The voice cast spans returning franchise veterans alongside entirely new additions to the Disney animated universe. Performers range from established Hollywood talent to relative newcomers bringing fresh energy to the production.

Key Insights About the Cast

• Auliʻi Cravalho reprised the role of Moana, recording her performance at age 19 with her natural adult voice—a first for Disney’s princess franchise
• Dwayne Johnson returned as Maui from the original film’s conception, emphasizing high production values throughout development
• Several cast members perform their own singing parts, including Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui
• New Zealand and Pacific Islander performers dominate the new character roster
• Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, playing Simea, became the youngest cast member at approximately eight to nine years old
• Multiple performers reprise their roles in Hawaiian and Māori language dubbings
• Jemaine Clement returned in a cameo as Tamatoa, the giant coconut crab from the first film

Who Plays Moana and Maui in Moana 2?

Auliʻi Cravalho returns as the polynesian princess Moana, bringing depth to the character after her original portrayal launched her career. When she recorded her lines for the sequel, she was 19 years old—an age that allowed her to use her natural adult voice rather than a forced teenage pitch. This marked a significant departure from typical Disney casting practices, where voice performers often maintain younger characterizations for merchandise and promotional materials.

Dwayne Johnson continued his portrayal of Maui, the legendary demigod who guided Moana on her first ocean voyage. Johnson was involved with the project from its early stages as a Disney+ series, and he publicly emphasized the high production values the studio committed to during the theatrical transition. His performance balances the character’s bravado with moments of genuine emotional growth.

Supporting Family Members

The family ensemble features performers reprising established roles with notable changes in vocal duties. Temuera Morrison returns as Chief Tui, Moana’s father, and this time performs his own singing parts rather than having them handled by another vocalist as in the first film. Nicole Scherzinger continues as Sina, Moana’s mother, while Rachel House voices Gramma Tala in her manifestation as a spirit manta ray.

The most significant new family addition is Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda portraying Simea, Moana’s little sister. At approximately eight to nine years old, Lambert-Tsuda represents the youngest cast member and this marks her first professional acting role. She brings Japanese heritage to the production, adding to the Pacific Islander representation central to the film’s cultural authenticity.

Returning and New Voice Actors in Moana 2

The original cast announcements confirmed the returning performers shortly after the project shifted from a Disney+ series format to a theatrical release. Beyond Cravalho and Johnson, the production confirmed Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk would reprise their respective roles. This continuity provided a foundation for the sequel’s emotional continuity with the first film.

Johnson’s public comments during the announcement period highlighted the expanded scope of the project. Where the original conceived as a streaming series would have offered limited runtime, the theatrical format enabled more ambitious musical sequences and action sequences requiring extended vocal performances.

New Cast Additions

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival became the venue for revealing the new cast members. Rose Matafeo joined as Loto, a quirky craftswoman who serves as part of Moana’s wayfinding crew. Matafeo, a New Zealand performer, also contributes to the Māori dubbing of related content. Her comedic background brings distinctive energy to the character design.

David Fane rounds out the new Pacific Islander performers as Kele, a grumpy farmer who joins the crew. Fane brings dual experience as a New Zealand actor and former professional surfer and rugby player. Hualālai Chung portrays Moni, described as a Maui fan among the crew members. Chung, a dancer by profession, also participates in the Hawaiian dubbing and appears on the Aveleyman fan wiki listings for the production.

New Characters and Their Voice Actors

Beyond the crew members, the production introduced antagonists requiring distinctive vocal performances. Tofiga Fepulea’i voices Nalo, the primary antagonist, who appears in a mid-credits sequence. His casting brings Samoan heritage to the villainous role, continuing the franchise’s commitment to authentic Pacific representation.

Awhimai Fraser portrays Matangi, described as Nalo’s bat-controlling enforcer and potential secondary villain. At approximately 30 years old, Fraser represents a New Zealand television actress and singer who also contributes to the Māori dubbing. Her involvement in multiple language versions demonstrates the production’s integrated approach to cultural authenticity.

Gerald Ramsey takes on the role of Tautai Vasa, depicted as one of Moana’s ancestors. This connection to the historical wayfinding tradition central to the story adds genealogical weight to the narrative. Ramsey’s performance bridges the present-day adventure with the ancestral knowledge guiding Moana’s journey.

Notable Casting Corrections

Reports surfaced suggesting Catherine Lagaʻaia would portray Moana in the sequel. However, comprehensive verification across multiple sources confirms Lagaʻaia does not appear in any official cast listings. Evidence indicates she may instead be connected to Disney’s separate live-action Moana remake project, a distinct production from this animated sequel.

Additional voices include members of Dwayne Johnson’s family. His daughters Jasmine and Tiana Johnson appear as “MOANA-BEs” fan club members within the film, while their mother Ata Maivia Johnson voices a villager character. This family participation adds personal dimension to Johnson’s involvement beyond his central performance.

Cast Announcement Timeline

The voice casting process unfolded across approximately two years, coinciding with the project’s evolution from streaming series to theatrical release.

1. 2022: Disney announced the project as a Disney+ series, with initial casting discussions beginning. Dwayne Johnson confirmed involvement from this early stage.
2. Early 2023: Project transitioned from series to theatrical feature. Voice casting accelerated to accommodate the expanded production scope.
3. Mid-2023: Original cast members confirmed returning: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk.
4. June 2023: Annecy International Animation Film Festival revealed new cast members including Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, and Awhimai Fraser.
5. Late 2023: Additional supporting roles announced, including Tofiga Fepulea’i as antagonist Nalo and Gerald Ramsey as ancestor Tautai Vasa.
6. 2024: Final voice work completed, with cast participating in promotional interviews ahead of November release.

What Information Remains Unclear

Cultural Context of the Cast

The voice casting reflects Disney Animation’s continued commitment to authentic Pacific Islander representation following the original Moana’s success. The production draws heavily from New Zealand’s performer community, where significant Polynesian talent pool exists. This approach extends beyond the main cast to encompass performers contributing to indigenous language versions of the film.

The inclusion of performers like Rose Matafeo, David Fane, and Awhimai Fraser in both English and Māori dubbings demonstrates integrated production strategy. Their dual participation ensures linguistic authenticity reaches audiences engaging with the film in their native languages.

Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda’s casting as Moana’s younger sister introduces Japanese heritage to the family representation, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds comprising Pacific Islander communities. This multicultural approach enriches the film’s representation of family dynamics within the island setting.

Sources and Notable Quotes

“Johnson emphasized high production values” regarding the theatrical transition from the original streaming series conception. This public statement from the project’s most prominent star signaled Disney’s commitment to elevated production standards for the sequel.

— Wikipedia, Moana 2 cast documentation

“First Disney princess role allowing her to age naturally” — describing Auliʻi Cravalho’s return with her adult voice at age 19 rather than maintaining a younger characterization for merchandise purposes.

— Behind the Voice Actors, Moana 2 cast analysis

Multiple performers reprise their roles across indigenous language dubbings, with the production prioritizing authentic cultural representation beyond the primary English release.

— YouTube documentation of casting announcements

Summary

The cast of Moana 2 successfully balances continuity with innovation, bringing back the franchise’s foundational voices while introducing new performers who strengthen cultural authenticity. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson anchor the production with their returning performances, supported by a diverse ensemble representing multiple Pacific Islander communities. The project’s evolution from streaming series to theatrical release enabled expanded casting announcements culminating in the Annecy Film Festival reveals. For those exploring other ensemble productions, the Cast of a Muppet Christmas Carol – Every Role and Performer offers comparable detail on voice casting approaches in animated features.

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