Disney’s ‘Moana’ Is Now A ‘Hamilton’ Reunion: Phillipa Soo Joins Voice Cast
ScoringHamiltontickets went from difficult to impossible last week, following news that star and creatorLin-Manuel Mirandawould take his last bow in July. But if you’re bummed about missing out, maybe today’s news will offer some small measure of consolation. AHamiltonmini-reunion is headed to big screens this fall, in the form of Disney Animation’sMoana.
As previously reported, Manuel is writing original music for the Disney adventure. Now we’ve learned that hisHamiltonco-starPhillipa Soowill be lending her voice to the project, which also features the talentsDwayne Johnsonand newcomerAuli’i Cravalho.
Directed byRon ClementsandJohn Musker,Moanafollows a teenager (Cravalho) in ancient Oceania who sets out on a daring adventure to save her people, joining forces with the demi-god Maui (Johnson) along the way.Opetaia Foa’iandMark Mancinaworked with Miranda to pen original tunes.Entertainment Weeklyreports Soo will voice a villager from Motunui, Moana’s home island.
Clements and Musker wrote the screenplay forMoanawithJared Bush,Pamela Ribon, andThor: RagnarokdirectorTaika Waititi. Bush shared the good news on Twitter (below), confirming that Soo will indeed sing in the movie. He also dropped a coy hint about a “surprise.”
Whirlwind trip to record some amazing#Moanamusic w/ non-stop@Lin_Manuel, powerhouse@Phillipasoo& a surprise…😉pic.twitter.com/GOaoEjgNeA
— Jared Bush (@thejaredbush)July 25, 2025
Disney revealed the first bit ofMoanafootage at D23 last summer to a very warm reception;click hereto read our report from the presentation.Moanahits theatersNovember 23, making it Disney Animation’s second feature film release of the year following this spring’sZootopia.
While Soo has a few screen credits on her resume, including a recurring role on NBC’sSmashand a rejectedDangerous Liaisonspilot,Moanais her first animated voiceover gig. Soo is currently up for a Tony Award for her work inHamilton, in which she plays Alexander’s wife Eliza. Sample her vocal talents with one of her signature numbers from the show, below:
