Moana 2 – Disney has made waves with the announcement of a sequel to the beloved film “Moana,” set to hit theaters on November 27.
The revelation came directly from Disney’s CEO Bob Iger during a segment on CNBC preceding the company’s first-quarter earnings report for fiscal 2024. Originally conceived as a TV series, the decision to transform “Moana 2” into a feature film was spurred by Iger’s enthusiasm after viewing early footage.
“Moana” continues to be a cherished franchise for Disney,” remarked Iger in a statement. “We’re thrilled to continue the adventures of Moana and Maui with ‘Moana 2’ debuting in theaters this November.”
Read Also: A Quiet Place Day One Movie Trailer
According to Disney, “Moana 2” will embark on a fresh, expansive journey alongside Moana, Maui, and a new crew of unlikely adventurers. The plot will see Moana responding to an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, leading her into perilous, uncharted waters for an adventure of unprecedented proportions.
Heading the sequel is director Dave Derrick Jr., while the musical score will once again be crafted by a talented team, including Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, all of whom contributed to the success of the original film. Notably absent from the sequel’s music lineup is Lin-Manuel Miranda, known for his compositions in the first film.
First-look image at “Moana 2.”
First-look image at “Moana 2.” DISNEY | variety.com
The first “Moana” film was a box office hit for Disney, raking in over $680 million worldwide. Its popularity endured on Disney+ where it amassed 1 billion hours of streaming last year.
The decision to release “Moana 2” in theaters follows a challenging year for Disney at the box office in 2023, marked by several underperforming releases including “Wish,” “The Marvels,” “Haunted Mansion,” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” However, Pixar’s “Elemental” managed to recover from a slow start, ultimately grossing $496 million globally.
It’s worth noting that “Moana 2” is distinct from Disney’s live-action remake of the original film, which is currently in development with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. Auli’i Cravalho, the voice behind Moana in the 2016 animated film, is expected to return for the sequel. However, she will not portray Moana in the live-action adaptation, instead serving as an executive producer.
Last May, Cravalho emphasized the importance of accurate casting in representing the characters and stories authentically, expressing excitement about finding the next actress to embody Moana’s courageous spirit, wit, and emotional strength.
