Moana fans applaud Auliʻi Cravalho for ‘respectful’ decision not to reprise lead role in live-action remake

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Moana fans are applauding Auli’i Cravalho, the young actor who voiced the titular character of the 2016 animated movie, for her “respectful” decision to sit out of the film’s forthcoming live-action remake. A month after Dwayne Johnson announced that a live-action retelling of the popular Disney movie was “in the works”, Cravalho confirmed she would not be reprising her lead role. “I’m truly honoured to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent to honour our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures and communities that help inspire her story, and I look forward to the beautiful Pacific representation to come.” Moana told the story of an adventurous teen who sets sail on a dangerous mission to save her people. A few weeks ago, the live-action version of Lilo and Stitch, Disney’s hit franchise about a young Hawaiian girl Lilo and her alien pet Stitch, drew criticism from audiences accusing its casting of “colourism”, for hiring lighter-skinned actors to play some of the original darker-skinned animated characters.