In a move that caught fans and the industry alike by surprise, Disney has announced that Moana 2 will premiere in theaters on 27 November 2024, sharing its release date with Wicked: Part One.
Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed his excitement, noting, “Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise, and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theaters this November.”
The official description of the movie reads:
“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.”
Dave Derrick Jr., known for his work on Strange World, takes the helm as director, with Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear teaming up with Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i for the film’s music. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who contributed to the first film’s soundtrack, will not be involved in the sequel.
While Disney has yet to confirm if Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will return as Moana and Maui, the announcement has sparked widespread anticipation. Iger revealed the film’s upgrade from a planned series to a theatrical release based on the strength of the material seen during development, according to Variety. Additionally, a live-action Moana adaptation directed by Thomas Kail and starring Johnson is still in the pipeline.
Moana 2 marks Disney Animation Studios’ fifth theatrical sequel, joining the ranks of Frozen II. A teaser trailer released alongside the announcement features Moana raising a conch shell, hinting at the adventures to come, along with Maui’s iconic laugh.
Moana has remained a standout hit for Disney, amassing over US$680 million at the global box office and achieving significant streaming success on Disney+. With Moana 2, Disney aims to build on this legacy, offering fans a new chapter in Moana’s journey that’s as vast and adventurous as the ocean she navigates. As the release date draws near, all eyes will be on Disney for more details on this eagerly awaited sequel.
Moana 2 opens in cinemas on 27 November 2024.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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