It's Moana's time to sparkle! Disney introduced its very first Polynesian princess, Moana, at its recent D23 Expo on Aug. 14.
The CGI-animated Moana was previewed at Disney's annual expo with the help of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who will voice the character of a demigod named Maui. Moana will be similar in spirit (and spunk!) to her Disney counterparts, including Brave's Merida and Frozen's Queen Elsa and Princess Anna.
Sketches and animations of Moana feature the pretty new princess in a South Pacific-inspired printed outfit, including a red crop top and mixed-media skirt. She sassily holds one hand to her hip and smirks with determination.
Other characters include Tui, Moana's father and the head of the village. Moana will also have some trusty sidekicks in Pua the pig and Hei Hei the rainbow-colored rooster. And no Disney flick would be complete without a villain, which in this case looks like a terrifying lava witch with creepy ash-like claws.
The flick will take place in the gorgeous seas and islands of the South Pacific.
The movie will be directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, whose film credits include classics like The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Frog. Moana is introduced as a "born navigator" who sets sail on a mission to find a mythical island in a region of the world called Oceania. During her journey, she encounters Maui, as well as many creatures — some pleasant, others scary.
Moana will sail into theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
