“Keep tuned, we’re solely getting began.”
These have been the prophetic phrases of Moana franchise star Auli’i Cravalho at D23 immediately in a sit-down chat concerning the upcoming sequel Moana 2.
Whereas there was no particular chatter immediately out of two Moana panels about an animated threequel per se, it wouldn’t be a shocker if Moana 3 occurs.
Authentic animated movies are onerous to interrupt with an viewers and as Iger took over the reigns from former CEO Bob Chapek, the conglom’s mission has been to re-establish Disney‘s former field workplace glory. No extra is that evident in animated sequels: Incredibles 3 was introduced yesterday at D23, and this summer season, Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 turned the best grossing animated film of all-time with $1.56 billion.
Moana scribe Jared Bush touched briefly immediately at D23 on his and Dana Ledoux Miller’s involvement within the live-action take of the 2016 blockbuster which grossed over $643M worldwide and earned two Oscar noms. Bush did point out that musical sequels are onerous to crack, however they discovered a manner into Moana.
Final evening Cravalho made a splash with Moana 2‘s Maui himself, Dwayne Johnson, at Disney D23’s Honda Middle movie presentation with one other trailer dropped. Earlier immediately the actress and the filmmakers hit the Anaheim Conference Middle commerce flooring to stoke followers concerning the subsequent chapter concerning the Polynesian strong-willed daughter.
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In Moana 2, Moana believes that extra of her individuals stay out within the horizon of the ocean as she heeds the decision of wayfinding ancestors. She embarks on one other journey in Oceania, with in fact, demigod Maui, by her facet.
Within the sequel, Moana is older and wiser, and that was an attribute which resonated with Cravalho.
“The movie is so reflective of its time now that we’re in a second of true womanhood and energy and what it means to journey on in your personal energy,” mentioned the actress who returned to voice Moana promptly after Disney CEO Bob Iger introduced that the Disney+ collection was being changed into a characteristic sequel.
“I really feel like this movie allowed me to faucet into components of myself,” mentioned Cravalho.
The actress shared with D23 attendees how on the age of 15, she wasn’t totally conscious of the manufacturing course of for a large-sized animated film, and for her to go to the studio now and witness the ultimate stretch, “I’m humbled” she mentioned.
The film has all the time been a particular supply of satisfaction for Cravalho given her Hawaiian roots; a Disney princess film wherein “a lady wasn’t afraid to transcend the reef,” to not point out “we don’t want a prince to save lots of us.”
Cravalho instructed the group that the primary film is utilized in faculty curriculums within the state to show individuals concerning the native Hawaiian language.
Earlier than Cravalho’s chat immediately, Moana 2 filmmakers David G. Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and co-scribe/director Ledoux Miller gathered with the pic’s Bush and producer Christina Chen to speak up extra of the sequel.
Mentioned Bush about taking a stab at a musical part-two, “There’s not a number of sequels to musicals. And the explanation for that’s as a result of in a musical, your major character has a dream, sings about that dream and accomplishes one thing. We wanted to determine for this film, what’s subsequent for Moana? It was her attempting to grasp herself. There was one thing within her that she wasn’t capable of be fulfilled. There was this life on the market that she needed to pursue, however she actually beloved her island. How does she put these issues collectively? So, discovering herself was actually necessary. There may be nonetheless so much left for her to find about herself.”
Not addressed at both sit-down immediately was how the sequel was spawned from its origins as a Disney+ collection. Already, as seen within the trailer, the film’s CGI has been beefed up for pure components resembling ocean waves.
Bush was requested by a fan concerning the live-action model of Moana, which additionally stars Dwayne Johnson as Maui. That manufacturing was delayed as Moana 2 was prioritized by Iger. Initially dated for July 2, 2025, the live-action Moana was pushed to July 10, 2026 on the theatrical launch calendar. Within the live-action take, Cravalho received’t reprise the title function, moderately, younger star Catherine Laga’aia is stepping in to play Moana.
Bush instructed followers that he and Ledoux Miller are throughout each the live-action model and the animated takes. He hinted that with the live-action model “typically modifications need to be made” from the unique animated film.
“It’s an thrilling expertise to observe each of this stuff occur,” the author added whereas staying mum.
Moana 2 opens on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
