Disney Announces Polynesian Princess ‘Moana’
Disney is set to introduce a Polynesian princess in 2016. “Moana” will be a CG-animated film set in the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, and will feature the titular heroine on a quest.
Fresh from the success of “Frozen,” Walt Disney Animation Studios is now cooking up another princess for their 56th feature animated film from Ron Clements and John Musker, the filmmaking team behind the smash hits “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Hercules. The duo are also responsible for the moderately successful film “The Princess and the Frog” and the not-so-successful “Treasure Planet.”
As the mouse house studio described, the film will follow the adventures of Moana, who embarks on an “impossible mission to fulfil her ancestors’ quest. The heroine, “a born navigator,” searches for a fabled island, and will meet with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, as she takes on her journey. She will “enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.”
“Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself,” Musker described the main character. “She’s the kind of character we all root for, and we can’t wait to introduce her to the audiences.”
“John and I have partnered on so many films – from ‘The Little Mermaid’ to ‘Aladdin’ to ‘The Princess and the Frog,’” Clements said. “Creating ‘Moana’ is one of the greatest thrills of our career. It’s a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceana.”
This isn’t the first time Disney had a Polynesian setting. In 2002, it released “Lilo & Stitch,” which is set in Hawaii.
“Moana” will be released in late 2016. Before it, Disney will release “Big Hero 6” first, a 3-D computer-anomated superhero robot film, which will hit U.S. theatres in November 2014.