Disney’s ‘Moana 2’: Release Date, Cast, Plot, Trailer and More
Disney’s ‘Moana’ came out in 2016 and was a pretty successful installment in Disney’s roster of animated movies. The film was actually so big that the titular heroine, Moana, was added to the lineup of Disney Princesses as the 12th member of the group. Now, seeing how Disney usually builds on the success of its titles, we shall see whether we can expect a sequel to ‘Moana’ anytime soon.
Editor’s Note: This post was updated on February 11th, 2024 with the latest updates regarding the ‘Moana’ franchise.
‘Moana’ will get a sequel
‘Moana’ was a big hit for Disney when it was released back in 2016. It earned around $645 million at the box office from a $150–175 million production budget and thus earned Disney a solid profit. It was also nominated for two Academy Awards and received several other awards. One of the bigger gains Disney had from ‘Moana’ was the fact that it portrayed yet another culture on screen, thereby reaffirming its diversity policy.
Now, ‘Moana’ was well received by both fans and critics, especially children, so it is only natural that you’d ask yourself whether the movie is getting a sequel or not. Disney has a policy of building on the success of its movies (just look at Frozen, for example), so a sequel to Moana would be a natural thing. So, will we see one?
Yes, ‘Moana’ is getting a sequel a theatrical one and this was only recently announced as originally the sequel to the movie was supposed to be an animated series. So, what went down?
In December 2020, Walt Disney Animation Studios announced a musical series titled ‘Moana’ for Disney+, based on the 2016 film. By August 2021, Osnat Shurer was reported to return as producer. In January 2022, David G. Derrick Jr. was announced as director, marking the first time a Samoan director helms a Disney Animation Studios project.
The series was developed alongside a live-action remake of ‘Moana.’ However, in February 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that the series had been reworked into a theatrical sequel, with Derrick and Shurer still involved. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson were confirmed to reprise their roles as Moana and Maui. Johnson expressed excitement for the film, emphasizing the advanced technology and effects utilized in its production.
‘Moana 2’ release date
‘Moana 2′ is set for theatrical release on November 27, 2024, competing against Universal Pictures’ ‘Wicked.’ Initially planned as a Disney+ series for a 2023 release, the project transitioned into a theatrical sequel with its release date pushed to 2024.
‘Moana 2’ trailer
The official trailer for ‘Moana 2’ hasn’t been released yet despite the videos being posted on YouTube, those are fake. What we did get during the announcement was da 16-second long teaser trailer showcasing bits and pieces of the latest project. It looks like Disney’s upcoming Disney Princess movie will look spectacular. You can check out the trailer below:
‘Moana 2’ plot
Not much is known about the plot of the upcoming ‘Moana’ sequel as of now except what has been shared with us during the presentation. Moana will receive a surprising call from her wayfinding ancestors, prompting her to go on a challenging journey to the distant seas of Oceania. This adventure takes her into uncharted and dangerous waters, presenting challenges unlike any she has encountered before.
‘Moana 2’ will be an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui, and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. – Iger said.
‘Moana 2’ cast
Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson were confirmed to return as Moana and Maui in the transition of the series into a theatrical feature film. Johnson revealed his involvement since the project’s early start, and he expressed how excited he was for fans to experience the film, teasing the advanced technology and new animation we will get to see when the film releases. As far as the rest of the cast goes, we will have to wait for more news. In any case, we will update you as soon as we know more.
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