Coco Reo Maori is the fourth Disney movie that's getting adapted into Te Reo Maori.
The adaptation is being locally produced in Aotearoa by Matewa Media, the company that ventured into releasing Disney movies like Moana, The Lion King and Frozen in Te Reo Maori. The next Disney movie that they're working on is Encanto.
Matewa Media has released the 16 actors that have been chosen, and there are some familiar faces and voices.
Musician and actor Troy Kingi will voice Héctor, and renowned actress and director Rachel House will voice Miguel's beloved great-grandma Mamá Coco.
The Director/ producer herself Tweedie Waititi will be one of the aunties - Tía Victoria.
There are three returning actors from The Lion King and Frozen Reo Maori. Justin Rogers will play Ernesto de la Cruz, Arihia Cassidy is Tía Rosita and Rutene Spooner voices three different roles including Miguel's late great-grandfather - Papá Julio.
Matewa Waititi, Taika Waititi's daughter will play as Baby Coco.
Manuera Manihera makes his debut as the voice of aspiring musician Miguel.
Check out who plays who in Coco Reo Maori :
Manuera Manihera - Miguel
Kuini Moehau-Reedy - Abuelita
Troy Kingi - Héctor
Naomi Herewini-Houia - Mamá Imelda
Justin Rogers - Ernesto de la Cruz
Rachel House - Mamá Coco
Roimata Fox - Frida Kahlo
Rutene Spooner - Papá Julio, Clerk, Gustavo, Tío Berto
Waimhi Hotere - Emcee & Cecilia
Te Rongopai Channings - Papá
Cilla Ruha - Mamá
Ngarimu Parata - Plaza Mariachi
Ngatarawahi Fairhall - Tío Oscar, Tío Felipe, Chicharrón
Arihia Cassidy - Tía Rosita
Tweedie Waititi - Tía Victoria
Matewa Waititi - Baby Coco
"Coco Reo Maori is a celebration of Te Reo o Te Tai Rawhiti, drawing on its specific and unique mita (dialect) to bring the story into Te Ao Maori" Matewa Media wrote on their website.
"Lookout for all the Ngati 'saysay' (idioms). Coco Reo Maori is all about whanau, it celebrates all the matriarchal and Te Ao Wairua elements evident in our cultures," says Tweedie Waititi.
"Working on Coco Reo Maori has been incredibly special. It's been beautiful to discover how our cultures are similar in the way we honour and value our loved ones." -Producers Chelsea Winstanley & Mia Henry-Teirney said.
Coco Reo Maori will be in the cinemas from 13 July, just in time for Matariki!
