In the highly anticipated sequel, Moana 2, the titular heroine is not only a wayfinder but also a big sister. The film introduces Simea, a rambunctious three-and-a-half-year-old voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, who idolizes her older sibling. Simea’s character was inspired by the co-director David Derrick Jr.’s own family experiences and the age gap between his children.
“Simea is Moana’s mini,” Lambert-Tsuda shared in a recent interview. “She is cute and energetic, so I wanted to be cute and energetic when I was saying my lines.” The young actress expressed her excitement about playing the role, admitting she wished she could meet Moana in real life. Kevin Webb, one of the head animators, emphasized the importance of capturing the unique relationship between Moana and Simea. “The relationship between Simea and Moana was the most important thing to try to decode and unravel,” he explained. “So Moana is not only her big sister, she is a guardian and a leader to her, but she has this unique relationship where she’s the only one who can speak to Simea as a peer and get to the core of her.”
Webb drew inspiration from his own daughter’s personality and physical traits to bring Simea to life. “When we were developing Simea’s personality, a lot of it came from, ‘What would it be like to grow up with a big sister as cool and badass as Moana?'” he said. “Simea is going to be just as scrappy and fiery as Moana was when she was little.” The animator also observed his daughter’s movements to capture the specific physical characteristics of a young child. “As adults, we gain this dexterity and this ability to be precise with our movements,” he explained. “But kids are chaos when they’re running. They’re not so much running, but stopping themselves from falling over at a very high speed. She’s almost tripping over her feet. That makes her very specifically feel of that age.”
Simea’s presence in the film adds a new layer of complexity to Moana’s character. While Moana is eager to embark on a new adventure, she is also torn by the prospect of leaving her younger sister behind. Simea’s emotional reactions to Moana’s departure serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that must be made to pursue one’s dreams.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2 premieres in theatres in India from November 29, 2024.
