Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as Maui and Auli'i Cravalho stars as Moana in the title role of Disney's upcoming animated film featuring their first Polynesian princess. Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda is working on the soundtrack, and we finally have a clip of The Rock's musical performance!
I'm getting really excited for this one. The trailers so far have been enjoyable, and directors Ron Clements and John Musker also have something special for us – The Rock singing.
“We looked at clips of him singing at his WWE events,” Musker told USA Today. “He would pull out a little ukulele and do a little singing…Lin had a sense of (Johnson's) vocal range and his register…(and) kept that in mind. And The Rock sings well.”
Miranda, who's working on the soundtrack with Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina, has already been having quite a bit of fun with Disney tunes and chimed in on Twitter saying “Eek it's out! I cannot wait for you to hear this tune for @TheRock. Isn't he dope?! #yourewelcome MoanaMondays.”
The Rock debuted the clip on his Instagram writing, “We just doin' a little sanging over here or as we say in the streets, “I'm spittin' that fire bruh!”????????. A blast collaborating with the musical genius himself and my Puerto Rican twin Lin-Manuel Miranda. Too much fun! #YoureWelcome #MoanaMondays ????????”
The soundtrack for the film will be for sale on November 18th, just a few days before the film debuts on November 23. Disney says “the Moana original motion picture soundtrack features seven original songs and a full original score, plus two reprises as well as two end-credit versions of songs from the film.” Jordan Fisher worked with Miranda on an end-credits version of the “You're Welcome” song featured here. Another song, “How Far I'll Go,” is performed by Cravalho in the film and Alessia Cara will sing the end-credit version.
And if you missed the previous clip they posted of Moana meeting Maui for the first time, here that is…