Moana 2 Filmmakers Share First Details About Moana's "Scrappy" Little Sister

As a parent who grew up with Disney’s Moana being one of my children’s favorite characters, I am beyond thrilled to witness the arrival of her little sister Simea in Moana 2! Having raised two fiery, optimistic, and scrappy girls myself, I can relate to the dynamic between these sisters.

In the upcoming fall release of “Moana 2“, Moana and Maui are making their comeback, but this time, their adorable little co-star might steal the show. Set a few years after the original movie, Moana’s life has evolved, with her youngest sibling, Simea, joining the cast. Only three and a half years old, voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Simea is referred to as Moana’s “mini,” maintaining the same optimistic and feisty spirit as her big sister.

As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Simea emerged early on as one of the significant elements in the evolving narrative of Moana, playing a crucial role since the story’s inception as a Disney+ series. Even with the numerous modifications to the plot and characters when Disney decided to transition into a full-length film, Simea remained central to the overall storyline.

Kevin Webb, one of the lead animators, mentioned that deciphering and understanding the bond between Simea and Moana was crucial. In essence, Moana is not just a big sister but also a protector and leader to Simea. However, what makes their relationship special is the unique aspect where only Moana can communicate with Simea as an equal and reach her core.

As a fan, I’ve been shaping Simea’s character, drawing inspiration from what it would be like to have an older sister as awesome and fearless as Moana. Just like Moana, Simea will embody scrappiness and fiery spirit, making her every bit as feisty in her younger years. To create a personality that can hold its own against the dynamic presence of Moana on screen, we’ve striven to craft a strong-willed character for Simea. It’s an exciting blend when you have a character at the tender age of 3.5, who is unique in her own right but shares connections with Moana.

In the sequel to Moana, Simea becomes significantly involved in the narrative as she takes on a substantial portion of the film’s emotional burden, making her character pivotal to the story.

According to co-director David Derrick Jr., she shares a deep connection with Moana. She’s troubled by her sister leaving, but she understands she is just like Moana and must follow her path. Thus, she continues to inspire her.

He remarked, “Simea serves as an emotional centerpiece in the narrative. For Moana, she must embody a significant weight. Many actors might resort to symbolic expressions of emotions, but for a child, it seems insincere. Children experience these feelings in a raw and intricate manner, where sadness can quickly blend with anger.

Moana 2 is set to be released everywhere on November 27th.

2024-09-19 03:11

Moana 2 Filmmakers Share First Details About Moana’s “Scrappy” Little Sister

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