Moana 2 Trailer Introduced at D23 by a Dancing Dwayne Johnson

As an ardent admirer of captivating storytelling and exceptional performances, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming sequel to Moana! The first film was not just a visual masterpiece, but it also resonated deeply with audiences due to its heartfelt narrative and the brilliant portrayal of its characters.

The long-awaited sequel to the beloved animated film Moana, titled Moana 2, was given a comprehensive reveal during the start of D23 on Friday. You can catch the full trailer for it right here above. At D23, Dwayne Johnson showcased the trailer, stating through The Hollywood Reporter: “Maui is back to singing, even in keys that don’t exist. And my hair looks great in Moana 2.” Alongside Auli’i Cravalho, who plays Moana herself, they and a dance troupe presented their upcoming project. Check out some behind-the-scenes footage below (via THR).

In 2016, the initial release of “Moana” was met with widespread praise, narrating the tale of Moana, a determined daughter of a Polynesian village chief. The sea itself selects her for a mission to reconnect a powerful artifact with the goddess Te Fiti. As a curse spreads across her island, Moana embarks on a voyage in pursuit of Maui, a legendary demigod, in an attempt to restore the artifact and save her community. “Moana” is a production of Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is helmed by directors John Musker (of “The Princess and the Frog”) and Ron Clements (of “The Little Mermaid”), with a screenplay penned by Jared Bush, who also wrote “Zootopia”.

Meet Auliʻi Cravalho’s enchanting portrayal of Moana, a character audiences still cherish for her captivating dynamic with Dwayne Johnson, who brings the legendary shapeshifting demigod Maui to life. The talented supporting cast includes Rachel House, known for roles in Thor: Ragnarok and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Temuera Morrison from Aquaman and The Mandalorian, Jemaine Clement of What We Do in the Shadows, Nicole Scherzinger (Men in Black 3, Ralph Breaks the Internet), and Alan Tudyk (Doom Patrol, Wreck-It Ralph).

The Moana Franchise Is Expanding Into Sequels & Live-Action

Moana 2 Trailer Introduced at D23 by a Dancing Dwayne Johnson

Disney’s movie titled Moana was incredibly successful, earning two nominations for the 89th Academy Awards – Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“How Far I’ll Go”). This heartwarming tune was a source of inspiration. The film raked in an impressive $690 million at the box office against its production budget of approximately $175 million, making it clear why Disney is keen to extend the Moana franchise as much as they can.

Under the guidance of directors David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel to Moana, titled Moana 2, brings Moana and Maui together three years later for a fresh journey across the sea with an assortment of unconventional sailors. Upon receiving an unexpected message from her ancestral wayfinders, Moana embarks on a mission to venture deep into the vast oceans of Oceania, braving treacherous, forgotten waters for a challenge that surpasses anything she’s encountered before.

Featuring music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foaʻi (Grammy nominee), Mark Mancina (three-time Grammy winner), and starring Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk reprising their roles from the original film, Moana 2 also welcomes new cast members Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, and Hualālai Chung. This highly anticipated sequel is set to hit theaters on November 27, 2024.

In the new version of “Moana”, Dwayne Johnson will breathe life into Maui in a live-action format. Interestingly, the character of Moana is now played by Catherine Laga’aia, an emerging talent. The live-action remake of “Moana” is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.

2024-08-10 07:01

The Moana Franchise Is Expanding Into Sequels & Live-Action

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