Disney Releases 'Moana' Sequel Trailer

An anticipated sequel to the animated Disney film Moana got its first trailer this week, kicking off the marketing push for the first of two Moana-related projects. The other is a live-action remake of the original film that's in the works. Together, the two films could consitute an expansion of a 'Moana universe,' a term used by the actor who voices the title character. Read on for details.

Via Variety.

The line where the sky meets the sea is calling Moana once again, as Disney has released the first trailer for its highly-anticipated “Moana” sequel. The trailer sees the return of Moana and Maui, voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, respectively, on another oceanic adventure.

According to its official description, “Moana 2” reunites “Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a 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.”

“This is a call from the ancestors to sail to new skies and reconnect our people across the entire ocean,” Moana says in the trailer. Maui then makes an appearance on her boat, referring to a chicken and pig as “boat snacks.”

“Moana 2” was written and directed by David G. Derrick Jr. in his feature length directorial debut. Music duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, as well as Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, who worked on the first film, will return to write songs for the sequel; however, Lin-Manuel Miranda isn’t expected to return with new songs for the follow-up.

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the sequel on CNBC ahead of the company’s first quarter of fiscal 2024 earnings report. The sequel was initially developed as a TV series but has since been retooled to a feature film.

The first “Moana” was a marked success for Disney Animation, generating over $680 million at the global box office. The animated musical found renewed life on Disney+ with 1 billion hours streamed in 2023.

Also in the works is a live-action remake of the original “Moana,” with Dwayne Johnson planning to return to play Maui in that project. While Cravalho is back to voice Moana in the animated sequel, she will pass the role to another actor for the live-action remake, recently telling Variety’s Angelique Jackson that she loves seeing the “Moana” universe expand.

“It feels like the ‘Moana’ universe is expanding, and I love that,” Cravalho said. “I love that Moana is a hero to all. It changed what it meant to be a Disney princess. You can be strong and brave and stand up against a demigod. It feels really good that more and more generations are going to be able to relate to this character.”

Get the rest of the story at Variety.