A surprise Moana sequel has been announced by Disney, making super fans very happy indeed.
Moana 2 is already in the making and is set to be hitting cinemas as early as later this year, it was announced today.
Disney chiefs say that the work they have done came by accident. Moana 2 was initially developed to be a TV series following on from the box office hit, but when they realised how good the work was, they decided to turn it into a movie ready for cinemas.
Here is the first look at the announcement.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said: “We were impressed by what we saw and knew it deserved a theatrical release,” adding that Moana had been streamed for more than 1 billion minutes on Disney+ in 2023 alone, showing just how popular it continues to be.
Here is everything we know about Moana 2.
What is the story of Moana?
For those who haven’t seen it (where have you been?), Moana is the story of a young Disney princess who feels her calling on the sea.
Set in Polynesia, we see Moana as a teenage heroine leaving her home island in search of a way of saving her people, whom she is expected lead when she turns of age. Their sea boundaries appear cursed and Moana sets of to find out why and to try to resolve the problems.
She takes her trusty pet chicken and along the way meets demigod Maui, and together they work in order to save her people. The film was a huge success, grossing $643m worldwide and was nominated for two Academy Awards.
What is Moana 2 going to be about?
There has been very little released just yet, as you can see by the mini trailer above.
But Disney has said in the caption accompanying the video: “Go 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.”
It sounds exciting.
Who will be in Moana 2?
The good news for super fans is that Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock will be back to reprise his role of demigod Maui.
It is also expected that original voice actor Auli’i Cravalho will continue playing Moana.
Dave Derrick Jr, who worked on the original film as a story-board artist, will direct Moana 2, while Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina are writing the songs.
When is Moana 2 out?
The new film will hit cinemas worldwide on November 27, so fans do not have long to wait.
A live remake of the Disney film is also set for release, in 2025. The live-action film will, like the animated original, star Johnson as Maui but the role of Moana has yet to be cast, as Cravalho has confirmed she won’t be playing the role.
