‘Moana’ Film Updates: Official “Save the World” TV Spot Released; Maui Costume Causes Controversy

‘Moana’ recently dropped its third official television spot entitled “Save the World” featuring Moana and Maui on a great ocean adventure. Meanwhile, Disney’s recently released costume for the Maui character caused controversy with many calling it culturally inappropriate.

According to Comicbook.com, the third official television spot for Disney’s upcoming animated adventure-comedy film was recently released. Entitled “Save the World”, it features Moana and Maui off on a great adventure with Moana declaring, "Maui, shape-shifter, demigod of the wind and sea, let's save the world!"

Auli’I Cravalho is set to play Moana, an adventurous and free-spirited chieftain’s daughter descended from a long line of navigators. The 15-year old actress admitted that she didn’t officially audition to get the lead role in a previous interview. She said, "The casting woman who was going through those auditions was the same casting director for Disney's ["Moana"]. She looked at my audition and the rest is history."

The film also stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui, a legendary demi-god who accompanies Moana on her ocean adventure to save her people. Johnson said during an appearance at ‘Good Morning America’, "It seems like the world is very excited for 'Moana’… The animation is beautiful."

He continued, "A lot of times when you see a movie you try not to get drunk on your own wine… But the movie is really good and I can't wait for everybody to see it."

Meanwhile, Maui’s recently released children’s costume has recently been attacked online. According to io9.com, Disney’s zip-up Maui costume stirred some controversy on social media. The costume was complete with the demi-god’s signature full-body tattoos, a rope necklace, a full-on island grass skirt, and padded arms and legs.

The outfit was part of Disney’s promotional clothing, toy line and accessories in celebration of Polynesian culture featured in the film. However, the Maui costume was deemed culturally inappropriate.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Disney’s online store Planet Samoa re-tweeted, "Is this cultural appropriation at its most offensive worst? #BrownFace OR just a fun celebration of Pasifika?”

Maori Party co-leader and MP Marama Fox also voiced her opinion on the matter saying, "[Disney's Maui costumes are] no different to putting the image of one of our ancestors on a shower curtain or a beer bottle." Fox said that Disney was just another company trying to make a certain culture profitable.

The animated film has already caused controversy in the past, with many offended by the portrayal of Maui as a stereotypical obese demi-god, who fat shames Polynesian children.

‘Moana’ is an animated action-adventure film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. It is produced under Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures.

It stars Auli’I Cravalho as Moana, Dwayne Johnson as Maui, Temuera Morrison as Moana’s overprotective father Chief Tui of Motunui Island, Nicole Scherzinger as Moana’s mother Sina, Alan Tudyk as Moana’s pet rooster Hei Hei, Jemaine Clement as the evil crab Tamatoa, and Rachel House as Moana’s grandmother Tala.

The film is scheduled to be released on November 23, 2016.