Is Moana 2 going to happen and what will the animated sequel be about? Moana was a critically acclaimed adventure for Disney back in 2016, which featured voice performances from Dwayne Johnson (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Auli’i Cravalho and Jemaine Clement. The movie followed the title character, a young Polynesian girl selected by the ocean to find a demigod named Maui (Johnson) and return a mystical relic to its rightful owner.
Moana featured great characters, an emotional story, stunning animation and catchy musical numbers, with Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns) writing some of the songs. Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) wrote an early version of the script too, though the film would change radically during development. The movie would prove to be a worldwide smash hit and earned a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 2017 Academy Awards.
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Given the film was instantly beloved by audiences it feels like Moana 2 is a given, so here’s what we know about the sequel so far.
When Is Moana 2 Coming Out?
Sadly, not only is there no set release date for Moana 2, there’s no confirmation the movie is being developed. Walt Disney Animation Studios has historically tended to focus on producing original animated features over sequels, though in recent times they have been more flexible in this approach, making follow-ups like Ralph Breaks The Internet and the upcoming Frozen 2. Despite the critical and commercial success of the original, Moana 2 has yet to be officially announced.
What Is The Story Of Moana 2?
While Moana 2 has yet to be confirmed by the studio, Lin-Manuel Miranda is said to have met with Disney about a sequel that would focus on a Latina princess. This would be a major first for the studio, but for now, this is a rumor with neither the studio or Miranda confirming this is the plan.
The end of Moana found the lead character return home following her epic adventure and acting as Wayfinder so a potential Moana 2 could pick up from there. Given the enduring popularity of Dwayne Johnson, it’s almost a given any sequel would feature the return of demigod Maui too.
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Will Moana 2 Happen?
While the lack of visible movement on Moana 2 might be worrying to fans, a sequel feels like a safe bet. The original grossed nearly $650 million worldwide and featured one of the catchiest soundtracks of 2016. A follow-up would be a guaranteed success for the studio, so while development on Moana 2 might be slow right now, it will likely be announced in the next few years.