“Moana 2 ”cast: See who voices the characters in Disney's magical sequel (including the new villain)

"Moana 2" will introduce audiences to a cadre of new characters, both good and bad.

Moana provided a radical shakeup to Disney’s catalog when it was released in November 2016. The film’s immersion into its Polynesian culture and its representation of ancient spiritual mythology and traditions were unprecedented coming from a major Hollywood studio. The film was a high watermark for cultural representation in cinema, but it also happened to be a rollicking piece of entertainment. Much of the film’s success can be attributed to its stellar voice cast, an ensemble of some of the world’s most famous stars (Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger) as well as lesser-known talents who are part of the culture at the heart of Moana.

With Moana 2's release on Nov. 27, audiences can expect to reunite with their favorite characters from the original in addition to a few new additions to the cast. While much of the film’s plot remains under wraps, the fresh faces populating Moana’s island promise to expand upon the cultural mythology established in the first picture.

Ahead of Moana 2 hitting cinemas, Entertainment Weekly explores the voice cast behind the film including returning favorites and new friends.

Related: Beyond the sea: Moana 2's Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reflect on the unexpected path to their surprise sequel

Auli?i Cravalho as Moana

Auli?i Cravalho was born on November 22, 2000 in Kohala, Hawaii. She made her acting debut in Moana, playing the eponymous role of the chief’s daughter tasked with finding the heart of Te Fiti, goddess of nature, therefore preserving the sanctity of her homeland, Motunui Island.

After Moana, Cravalho took live-action roles in NBC’s short-lived series Rise (2018) and the Hulu original movie Darby of the Dead (2022). In addition to reprising the role of Moana in Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), she starred as Janis 'Imi'ike (formerly Janis Ian) in the musical remake of Mean Girls (2024).

Dwayne Johnson as Maui

Dwayne Johnson stars alongside Cravalho as demigod and expert wayfinder Maui, who stole Te Fiti’s heart in a bid to bestow humanity with the power of creation. Maui was regarded as a hero until he stole (and subsequently lost) Te Fiti’s heart, cursing humanity. Years later, he’s given a chance to redeem himself when Moana tracks him down and persuades him to join her in locating the heart.

Johnson got his start in the WWE before graduating to a successful acting and producing career. He’s best known for playing hard-headed cop Luke Hobbs in the Fast and Furious franchise and for roles in San Andreas (2015), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), and Jungle Cruise (2021). Johnson is pulling double duty in cinemas this holiday season, starring in Red One as a mercenary tasked with rescuing a kidnapped Santa Claus.

Related: Maui's arc in Moana 2 allowed Dwayne Johnson to reflect on his own vulnerability: 'Asking for help is a superpower'

Temuera Morrison as Tui

New Zealand-native Temuera Morrison plays Moana’s ever-present helicopter father, who’s also the respected chief of Motunui Island. Morrison has had a long career with Disney, beginning back in 2002 when he played Jango in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. He voiced Boba Fett in several Star Wars video games and also re-dubbed the character for the 2004 re-release of The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Morrison also played Tom Curry in Aquaman (2018) and its sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).

Nicole Scherzinger as Sina

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger voices Sina, Moana’s open-hearted mother who works alongside her husband as Motunui’s chieftess. Hawaiian-born Scherzinger is a singer, songwriter, and actor who was a part of the Pussycat Dolls from 2003 until 2010 in addition to serving as a judge on talent programs such as The X Factor and The Masked Singer. In 2010, she won the 10th season of Dancing With the Stars. She appeared in Rent (2010) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; and in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats (2014). She’s currently starring as Norma Desmond in Webber’s Sunset Boulevard musical.

Rachel House as Tala

Rachel House plays Moana’s maternal grandmother Tala, a kindred spirit to the young woman who shares Moana’s deep love for nature and attachment to the ocean. Tala falls ill and dies at the end of Moana, but she’s set to return in the sequel in the form of a manta ray spirit.

Like Morrison, House is a New Zealand native who made her theatrical debut in 2003’s Whale Rider. She voiced Terry in Pixar’s Soul (2020) and Mamá Coco in the Māori dub of Coco (2017). House is well-recognized for her work with director Taika Waititi, having appeared in six of the director’s features including Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016); Thor: Ragnarok (2017); Jojo Rabbit (2019); and Next Goal Wins (2023).

Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea

Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda is joining the cast as Simea, Moana’s 3-and-a-half-year-old sister. Moana 2 is the first role for Lambert-Tsuda, who was born in Japan. Simea “thinks the world of Moana and misses her terribly when she’s gone on her wayfinding journeys,” according to a character description provided by Disney.

"Simea is Moana's mini," Lambert-Tsuda told EW of her character. "She is cute and energetic, so I wanted to be cute and energetic when I was saying my lines,” she reflected. "I don't have a sibling in real life so it was cool to pretend I have one. And it's Moana, the coolest big sis ever! I wish I could meet her in real life!"

Kevin Webb, one of the film’s head animators, told EW that with Simea they wanted to create a character who could match Moana’s formidability. "When we were developing Simea's personality, a lot of it came from, 'What would it be like to grow up with a big sister as cool and badass as Moana?'" he said.

He continued, "Simea is going to be just as scrappy and fiery as Moana was when she was little. So, we tried to come up with a strong enough personality for her that we could match Moana's energy on screen, which is a really fun alchemy to play with when you have this 3-and-a-half-year-old version of a character that is very unique in their own way, but is still connected to Moana."

Related: Meet Simea, Moana's little sister and a feisty addition to Moana 2 (exclusive)

Rose Matafeo as Loto

Moana 2 finds Maui introducing the titular heroine to a trio of his fellow wayfinders, who join up to help their cause. Wayfinding is an ancient Polynesian art which involved navigating the open ocean using only the stars in the sky and the water’s natural swells. It was one of many traditional Polynesian rituals given the spotlight in the original Moana.

Rose Matafeo plays Loto, a wayfinder described by Disney as “a brilliant but quirky engineer” (aren’t they all?) whose job is to keep the gang’s canoe in order. This sometimes involves “enacting the changes in real time, whether the rest of the crew is ready or not.” Matafeo was previously seen in the series Squinters (2018-2019), as Talia; and Starstruck (2021-2023), playing Jessie.

David Fane as Kele

David Fane plays a crop farmer who joins the mission to grow food for the hungry journeymen. As one of the elders on Motunui, Kele has seen a lot in his time and doesn’t find the mission all that daring or breathtaking. He is, however, a devoted foodie and despite his grumpy demeanor is proud to cook as best he can for the clan.

Fane is another New Zealand native who’s best recognized for his work with Taika Waititi. He played Kevin/Fang in Our Flag Means Death (2022–) and acted alongside House in Waititi’s Next Goal Wins (2023).

Hualālai Chung as Moni

Hualālai Chung’s Moni is, literally, “a [physically] huge fan boy” of Maui’s. A longtime resident of the island who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of its folklore, Maui represents everything Moni could ever hope to be. “Moni’s size and stature make him a powerful asset to Moana’s crew,” Disney enigmatically teases.

Chung is a Hawaiian native who has held small roles in regional projects like Rescue: HI-Surf, NCIS: Hawai’i (both 2024), and the upcoming live-action Lilo and Stitch remake (2025), in which he plays Animal Control Worker #1. Chung also appeared in an uncredited role on an episode of Mad Men as a “fire knife dancer."

Related: Inside the music of Moana 2: A new anthem, Dwayne Johnson's challenging number, and a guaranteed 'TikTok moment' (exclusive)

Awhimai Fraser as Matangi

Matangi is described as “a mysterious figure who challenges everything Moana thinks she knows about herself.” Rumors abound that Matangi will be Moana 2's big bad. In the trailer, Matangi can be heard ominously intoning, “You will be destroyed, and your Wayfinder, too.”

Awhimai Fraser, another New Zealand native in Moana 2’s ensemble, is experiencing her most prominent exposure to date in Hollywood with Pixar’s sequel, though she’s hardly an industry novice. Fraser starred as Becky Reid in 74 episodes of the long-running Auckland-based medical drama Shortland Street (1992–). She also starred as Chantelle in 95 episodes of the sardonic crime comedy Ahikaroa (2018-2021).

Moana is available to stream on Disney+. Moana 2 hits cinemas on Nov. 27.