New concept art for Disney's 'Moana', 2016 release date

One thing's for sure, this is going to be gorgeous, and tikis will feature in the production design:

http://collider.com/moana-disney-2016-concept-art/

The parallels to Kon-Tiki in the above image are unavoidable, and I think it's interesting that they're going back to core Hawaiian mythology (Maui) for at least some of their story.

BURBANK, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2014) Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed plans today for “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated comedy-adventure about a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest. In theaters in late 2016, the film is directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”).

“John and I have partnered on so many films—from ‘The Little Mermaid’ to ‘Aladdin’ to ‘The Princess and the Frog,’” said Clements. “Creating ‘Moana’ is one of the great thrills of our career. It’s a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceania.”

In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.

“Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself,” Musker said. “She’s the kind of character we all root for, and we can’t wait to introduce her to audiences.”

Here's the first piece of concept art that leaked last year:

Edited because Collider started blocking direct linking, but the huge image is linked in their article.

[ Edited by: Greg_D_R 2014-10-20 17:52 ]

[ Edited by: Greg_D_R 2014-10-20 17:54 ]

[ Edited by: Greg_D_R 2014-10-21 10:47 ]

It seems to me that there have been a couple of threads on this topic.

Here is one of them:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=46809&forum=1&hilite=disney

This new image is on the D23 webpage:

https://cdn.d23.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MOANA-First-Look-Concept-Art.jpg

Oops, I even searched, don't know how I missed it.

The movie looks spectacular. I'm excited for it.

BUT...

Anyone else worried that they'll tamper with the Tiki Room? I would hate to lose the 1963 Tiki Culture show for some 2016 synergy.

On 2014-10-21 07:18, EPCOTExplorer wrote:
The movie looks spectacular. I'm excited for it.

BUT...

Anyone else worried that they'll tamper with the Tiki Room? I would hate to lose the 1963 Tiki Culture show for some 2016 synergy.

Ixnay onway ethay ynergysay!!!

They've put too much into the recent remodels of the Enchanted Tiki Room to do anything drastic. I'll bet that while they promo the film, they'll add some tie in displays to the outside area, and maybe some characters inside, and those may go away unless the film is very popular. I'm interested to see what the "farting sidekick" is going to be. Hopefully they will keep that stuff to a minimum, but there has to be some.

Release date announced - Nov. 23rd, 2016.

After Florida's New Management fire, I think they're well aware of the curse that falls on them if they touch anything with the tiki room.

I hope you all are right, but considering what Disney did to Norway's Maelstrom ride after the popularity of Frozen? No thank you.

On 2014-11-17 05:06, EPCOTExplorer wrote:
I hope you all are right, but considering what Disney did to Norway's Maelstrom ride after the popularity of Frozen? No thank you.

True, but there's a big difference between Maelstrom and the more well-known Enchanted Tiki Room. I can see them maybe adding something to the DL pre-show area (probably at the juice bar) but not inside the attraction.

On 2014-11-19 22:10, finky099 wrote:

On 2014-11-17 05:06, EPCOTExplorer wrote:
I hope you all are right, but considering what Disney did to Norway's Maelstrom ride after the popularity of Frozen? No thank you.

True, but there's a big difference between Maelstrom and the more well-known Enchanted Tiki Room. I can see them maybe adding something to the DL pre-show area (probably at the juice bar) but not inside the attraction.

I hope you're right... but Disney's aims with synergy seem unrelenting, these days. Even an addition to the DL pre show could really disrupt the fantastic vibe that the original tiki room has.

Dwayne the Rock Johnson was just announced as the voice of one of the characters in the movie.

If you are female (age 14 - 18) and live in New Zealand you can audition for the lead part.

http://www.cnacasting.com/moana/

It may bring back polynesian theming to the Tahitian Terrace

On 2014-12-03 23:34, Pineappleman11 wrote:
Dwayne the Rock Johnson was just announced as the voice of one of the characters in the movie.

Almost certainly, he'll be Maui. Maui is pretty much the Hawaiian 'Hercules'.

Taika Waititi is the third credited writer, so at least we got a Maori guy in there, and he's a pretty funny guy too, with a wide range of hairstyles.

http://skunkandburningtires.com/meet-taika-waititi-the-guy-disney-hired-to-write-moana/

Is this movie a remake of another film?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs0FNCp6aRM

On 2015-04-21 17:23, Greg_D_R wrote:
Taika Waititi is the third credited writer, so at least we got a Maori guy in there, and he's a pretty funny guy too, with a wide range of hairstyles.

http://skunkandburningtires.com/meet-taika-waititi-the-guy-disney-hired-to-write-moana/

Cool! I just saw this actor recently for the first time in "What We Do In The Shadows" (faux documentary comedy about four bachelor vampires living in Wellington, NZ) and he was one of the highlights for me. Pretty funny guy.

Cheers!
:drink:

On 2015-04-21 20:22, MaukaHale wrote:
Is this movie a remake of another film?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs0FNCp6aRM

Nope. That one is a very early quasi-documentary about the culture of Samoan islanders. Fascinating stuff, but far from anything Disney is doing.

On 2015-04-21 20:26, finky099 wrote:

Cool! I just saw this actor recently for the first time in "What We Do In The Shadows" (faux documentary comedy about four bachelor vampires living in Wellington, NZ) and he was one of the highlights for me. Pretty funny guy.

Cheers!
:drink:

Saw the trailers for that, it looks like a riot! I'll be picking that one up for sure. I dig Flight of the Conchords as well so I've been looking forward to it.

A slew of new pictures flooded out.
http://nerdist.com/disney-releases-concept-art-for-next-years-animated-film-moana/?gallery=259433#gallery

On 2015-06-01 11:25, tikijackskeleton wrote:
A slew of new pictures flooded out.
http://nerdist.com/disney-releases-concept-art-for-next-years-animated-film-moana/?gallery=259433#gallery

Everything in the gallery below is all fan art from Deviantart. Don't know why Nerdist published a new article with the same image that's been out for months, or why Disney is being so sparse with information, but the hype will pick up again shortly I'm sure.

Here's a bit from the John Lasseter press conference at Cannes:

Moana (Disney) – November 23, 2016

Disney’s first Polynesian princess movie is a musical in the tradition of “The Little Mermaid” or “Pocahontas.” It opens with a song number with Moana’s birth that brings to mind “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” The story is set 2,000 in the past, where 16-year-old Moana wants to set sail to explore nearby islands. After her grandmother’s death, she sneaks away in a boat (despite her father’s instructions not to do so), along with sidekicks in the form of a pig (Pua) and a rooster (Hei). When she gets stranded on an island, she meets mythical hero Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who wears tattoos that come to life and owns a magical sea hook.

...along with sidekicks in the form of a pig (Pua)...

Farting sidekick confirmed!!! Oh Disney, you never let me down...

[ Edited by: Greg_D_R 2015-06-01 12:45 ]

IGN has a pretty good update: http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/15/d23-2015-dwayne-johnson-is-the-superhero-of-the-south-pacific-in-moana

Johnson voices (Maui), who we saw in a funny clip attempting to impress Moana with stories of how he's “only the greatest demigod in all of the South Pacific" and “pulled islands out of the sea and battled monsters.” We begin to hear a drumbeat rise, only to see it is one of his tattoos on his chest making a drumming motion. Maui begins to spin his giant fishhook hover his head, as we see a decidedly unimpressed Moana and her pet pig, Pua, watching with bored looks on their faces.

Johnson noted his own half-black/half-Samoan heritage, saying "To tell a story inspired by the South Pacific is a great honor." The filmmakers noted that “Moana might just be the person to help Maui help him find his true self."

In the film, Moana sets out on her own to become a navigator, or Wayfinder, after her grandmother dies (“It is a Disney film!” joked one of the directors). At one point, she encounters a “vengeful land spirit” in the guise of a living island and we were shown both production art and test footage that looked very impressive and evocative of a dark rock island with a female face upon it and flowing, scary looking lava for hair - plus dark hands, with claw-like fingers, holding Moana.

Great find Greg!

Mahalos

P.S. Meet Waititi and his good friend, fellow actor, and also part Maori, Jermaine Clements (on left, me middle) at a recent invitation only lecture. Fun and funny guys. When asked about "Moana", Waititi couldn't say much yet.

[ Edited by: creativenative 2015-08-15 17:37 ]

[ Edited by: creativenative 2015-08-15 17:38 ]

[ Edited by: creativenative 2015-08-15 17:40 ]

Here is an update with pictures and videos from the D23 convention about Moana:

http://tinyurl.com/qhlf6bh

"People are like islands. You have to get close to them to know what they are about."
~ Adam Troy

[ Edited by: MaukaHale 2015-08-18 14:34 ]

I LOVE the design of Pele!

I'm weird, and it's not just because I like Tiki, but to me the news about Moana was the most interesting thing to come out of D23. There's some good video of the presentation at the source link as well.

The movie continues to look great.

And I continue to be scared to death that they'll use this as an excuse to update the Tiki Room.

Meet the Next Disney Princess – and Get a First Look at Her Movie, Moana!

http://www.people.com/article/disney-princess-moana-aulii-cravalho

By Lynette Rice @lynetterice

10/07/2015 AT 08:30 AM EDT
Like many little girls, Auli'i Cravalho of Oahu wanted to be a Disney princess.

"From baby time to now, I wanted to be a Disney princess and then I wanted to be a singer or an actress," the 14-year-old recalls.

But when Disney Animation began searching for a girl to voice the lead in its next princess movie Moana– about a young teen from 2,000 years ago who sets sail to fulfill her ancestors' quest – Cravalho didn't think she was good enough to audition.

"I was getting through my freshman year, and there were already so many great submissions over YouTube," the 14-year-old Native Hawaiian tells PEOPLE, which features an exclusive first look at the movie in this week's issue.

Good thing a fairy godmother (a.k.a. an Oahu casting agent) was looking out for Cravalho. After the agent discovered the teen's singing talents during a charity competition, Cravalho was whisked off to Los Angeles, where directors Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) cast her opposite Dwayne Johnson in the animated film, set for release on Nov. 23, 2016.

"Moana is such an amazing character," says Cravalho, who lives in the town of Mililani with her mother, Puanani. "She’s brave, she is so empowered, she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to get it, and I think that’s something that I can relate to as well. I just love watching how she goes along in this wonderful movie and grows as a person and helps her culture along the way."

Cravalho is especially excited to work alongside Johnson, who will play a demigod named Maui whom Moana encounters during her travels.

"I am very excited about that, my gosh," says Cravalho, a soprano who participates in her school's glee club. "I’ve never heard him sing before so it’s going to be really interesting!"

For more on Moana, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

bump

MOANA Sneak Peek - First Footage (2016) Dwayne Johnson, Disney Animated Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8zEzvJFIk

Moana Official US Teaser Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6PbWhWGUrY

And here's the Japanese trailer... https://youtu.be/Ljik3zsGNF4

Nice catch ETGoth. Enjoyed viewing the trailer. Mahalos

BTW, our local news had a recent story of a "Moana" presentation at Comic-con with our own, Auli’i Cravalho, who was casted on the last day of auditions here in Hawai’i. The following link is an article and post video interview of the event.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/21/comic-con-moana-panel

And a new TV spot came out for the film... I'm not sure if it looks good, but it still looks like something I'll enjoy in spite of itself (kinda' like Brother Bear): https://youtu.be/mxhI4sh85wc

Disney is seeking female performers to bring Moana to Walt Disney World for meet and greet

BlogMickey: Moana auditions for Disney Parks

Disney Audition Calendar

Latest news is more casts are announced, an all-star Polynesian cast.
ALREADY KNOWN:
Dwayne Johnson (Samoan)........Maui
Auli'i Cravalho (Hawaiian).....Moana

NEW:
Temuera Morrison (Maori).......Chief Tui
Nicole Scherzinger (Hawaiian)..Sina
Jemaine Clement (Maori)........Tamatoa
Rachel House (Maori)...........Gramma Tala

With Taika Waititi (Maori) as one of the writers this should be a good and well represented movie. No whitewashing voices here-haha. Only complaint is both Maui and Chief Tui characters are stereotypically very overweight. Ironically the real Polynesian actors that portray these characters are in good shape.

[ Edited by: creativenative 2016-08-22 16:09 ]

The third teaser trailer came out last week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjSrqzHOMmk

Still loving the designs and overall aesthetic, no surprise with Disney. It's the visual equivalent of sinking into a warm bath. Those Kakamora / coconut pirates are giving me Minions flashbacks, so I'm hoping they tread lightly there.

Finally, near the end of the trailer we see this very Ku-like face:

Should be a fun film with a lot of eye-candy. A lot of my friends whom I've shared info about the film with are interested in it. Let's really hope that Disney gives us not only eye-candy but also A GOOD STORY to go with it.

I hate it when I drop $15 for a ticket (or $30 for two) and I get to see a crappy film with a predictable plot. A number of years ago I pretty much entirely switched to less theater experiences and more movie rentals (or free discs from the library, lol) for my movie nights.

Check out these tats:

Then check out this news story from today about Disney pulling the Maui costume:
http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/22/media/disney-moana-costume-racist-polynesian/

And so it begins!

A new book...

The Art of Moana

I'm sure that is a very nice book. Would anyone care to comment on the "swirly O" graphic on the sail and in the Moana logo? I see this as a very modern type of icon. Most Island art I recall seeing, including tattoos, has tended to lean heavily towards being very angular. I'm not criticizing the film, but am wondering what others observe and would say? I know there are a few illustrators and graphic artists here on TC. Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing Moana.

The spiral pattern has indeed been used in south sea island tattooing for centuries. Inspired by nature's unfurling ferns and other plants in New Zealand especially. This version is also known as a female empowerment symbol.

Thanks for the reply about that icon, rixzantis. I'm glad I asked!

I'm planning a trip to the American southwest in the next year where I'll be seeing, and photographing, petroglyphs in places like Chaco Canyon. So that's why this caught my eye.

Cheers!

Seeing tons of Moana promotions and merchandise (like a Star Wars movie) and importantly great reviews. Of course I bought a few Moana items but I wouldn't dare buy one of three Hawaiian Airlines Moana planes

Also three big spiral symbols used throughout Polynesia in their art as in tatooos and cravings are inspired from these images from nature:

The last photo is a young sprouting koru fern from Aotearoa (New Zealand) and is very precious to the Maori natives of those islands. One of the many meanings of that symbol is a new life or coming of age and the other two symbols are obviously of the ocean (Moana). Now I don't have any personal insights from the producers of Moana to the exact meaning or interpetation of their logo but I wouldn't be surprise if it is the combination of all three (playing it safe).

Lastly to Ace here is a photo from a recent visit to New Mexico, think its from the Chaco area and something you were referring to - the spiral symbol

[ Edited by: creativenative 2016-11-15 05:59 ]

Great photos and info on the spirals, creativenative! My planned New Mexico trip will include Chaco Canyon as well as El Morro Nat'l Monument, and probably Petroglyphs Nat'l Monument too plus a healthy dose of Route 66 in the direction of the Petrified Forest.

To help keep it tiki, I will be checking out tiki places in nearby Albuquerque while I'm out there. There's still quite a bit of mid-century vintage stuff, signage, structures, etc. out there.

The trip is at least a year away -- must wait for Mrs. Explorer's knee surgery to heal and strengthen so I can drag her butt through the backcountry and the badlands!

On 2016-11-10 14:24, Heath wrote:
A new book...

The Art of Moana

Thanks for the heads up on this edition. My copy arrived today. I was going to order the book from Amazon but this addition is signed by all of the animators. The art is very nice. Its not just cartoons but also art of items from polynesia such as tapa cloth, boats, housing, fish hooks, etc. I going to wait until after I see the movie before I read the book.

"People are like islands. You have to get close to them to know what they are about."
~ Adam Troy

[ Edited by: MaukaHale 2016-11-17 11:13 ]

Just ordered the signed copy also, am very thankful for the heads up. Can't wait to read and page through it!