After a long wait, Disney has announced that Moana 2 is happening and they’ve even told us when it’s coming out. Moana was a movie Disney made in 2016 that got great reviews. It starred Dwayne Johnson, Auli’i Cravalho, and Jemaine Clement. The story is about a young girl from Polynesia named Moana who’s chosen by the ocean to find a demigod named Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, and take a mystical relic back to where it belongs.
Disney’s 2016 movie, Moana, was a huge success and earned lots of praise for its beautiful animation and captivating story. It even got two Academy Award nominations! With its stunning visuals, endearing characters, and memorable songs, it’s no surprise the film earned two Academy Award nominations. People everywhere adored the Polynesian-inspired setting and the main character, Moana, quickly became a beloved Disney Princess, even though she’s not too keen on being called one.
Earning nearly $700 million at the box office, it didn’t take long for plans to expand the world of Moana. In 2020, Disney announced a new television series based on Moana, although updates on that project have been scarce. Then, in 2023, Dwayne Johnson and Disney surprised fans by revealing a live-action reimagining of Moana was in the works, despite the original film being less than a decade old. While many people might be excited about the idea of bringing Moana’s beautiful world to life in a live-action movie, some fans would rather see a new story continue from where the first movie left off, rather than just a remake.
Latest News of the Sequel
In February 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that the Moana series, which had been previously announced, was being transformed into a full-length feature film titled Moana 2. Typically, Disney’s animated movie projects take several years to develop. For instance, it’s unlikely that Frozen 3 or Toy Story 5, which have already been announced, will hit theaters before late 2025 at the earliest. However, the announcement of Moana 2 brings the exciting news that fans will get to reunite with Moana and her beloved characters much sooner than expected.
As progress continues on the highly anticipated sequel, a big piece of news has been confirmed: Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice actor for Moana, will be returning for Moana 2. While it was expected, her official addition to the cast list strengthens her role in the sequel. Cravalho was already in talks with Disney when the sequel was announced, and it’s probable that her former co-star, Dwayne Johnson, will also join her, as he was negotiating at the time of the project’s reveal. Cravalho expressed her excitement about the news on her official Instagram page.
Does ‘Moana 2’ Have a Trailer?
After the unexpected announcement of the film, Disney released a short teaser trailer lasting only sixteen seconds for Moana 2. The teaser features a stunning island backdrop against a beautiful sunset. Moana, the beloved character, is seen stepping onto the sandy beach of the island and blowing into a conch shell, accompanied by enchanting music in the background. The teaser concludes with a title card revealing the November release date and an enthusiastic shout, likely from Moana’s demigod friend, Maui (Dwayne Johnson).
The Cast
Although Moana 2 is set for release later in 2024, limited information is available regarding the cast. The teaser released with the sequel’s announcement includes Dwayne Johnson’s distinctive shout, hinting at his possible return as Maui. However, Johnson has not yet confirmed his involvement. On the other hand, Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana, has been officially confirmed for the sequel. Apart from Moana and Maui, it’s uncertain which other characters will have speaking roles in the sequel.
What is ‘Moana 2’ About?
While the complete details are yet to be disclosed, Disney has provided some hints about the storyline by unveiling the basic plot for Moana 2. The sequel will follow Moana and Maui as they embark on a journey across the ocean in pursuit of dangerous lost waters. Additionally, the announcement suggested the introduction of new characters through Moana’s unconventional crew of sailors, although no further information is available about them at this time. While Moana 2 is sure to deliver thrilling adventures, it’s the heartfelt moments from the original film that truly stood out.
The official plot synopsis for Moana 2 reads as follows:
“Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical ‘Moana 2’ takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”
Moana 2 release date
As mentioned, the eagerly awaited sequel won’t keep fans waiting for long. Moana 2 is scheduled to premiere in theaters worldwide by the end of 2024, specifically on Wednesday, November 27th, just before Thanksgiving.
