Disney Filmmakers Shared A Sweet Personal Reason Why Moana Has A Sister In The Sequel, And It Has Me More Hyped For The Movie

Disney Filmmakers Shared A Sweet Personal Reason Why Moana Has A Sister In The Sequel, And It Has Me More Hyped For The Movie

As a gamer with a heart for Disney and a soft spot for strong female protagonists, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming release of Moana 2! Having attended a press day at Walt Disney Animation Studios, I’ve had a sneak peek into the storyline, and it’s safe to say that this sequel is going to be a game-changer.


The much-anticipated Disney sequel, “Moana 2,” is nearly upon us, with its release date quickly approaching. I am eagerly counting down the days to witness another captivating tale featuring Disney’s Polynesian princess, Moana. During a press day at Walt Disney Animation Studios, I was privileged to watch the first half-hour of the movie and gained valuable insights into what lies ahead for Moana in this new adventure. One noteworthy development that has me buzzing with excitement is the appearance of a brand-new character: her sister, Simea. The creators of the sequel have revealed their personal motivations behind her inclusion in the storyline, and I am even more eager to experience the film.

Similar to Riley growing older for the upcoming Pixar movie, Inside Out 2, when we meet Moana later this month, she will be three years older. Since the end of the first film, the addition of a baby sister named Simea has significantly impacted Moana’s life as she serves as Moana’s mirror image and admires her greatly. As Moana embarks on another sea voyage, the princess finds herself torn between not wanting to let down or abandon her little sister. During my conversation with the directors of Moana 2, David Derrick Jr., he shared insights into how Simea was developed for the film.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, I was initially basing my work on my own life events. My eldest child, Simea, is 21 years old, while our younger son, Quentin, is only seven. The bond between these two is remarkable, as I’ve never witnessed such a strong connection between siblings of this age difference. This unique relationship played a significant role in creating Moana’s little sister, as it allowed Moana to feel more connected to her home, Motunui, and experience love she hadn’t felt before. Additionally, I appreciate that Simea can articulate the future of her people through her character.

In a charming twist, Derrick Jr., a man with Samoan heritage, finds himself in a unique situation in Moana 2. His daughter shares the same name, but it’s his relationship with his younger son that forms the basis of this new connection in the upcoming sequel. Derrick is collaborating as co-director alongside Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller on this project, which initially started as a Disney+ series. However, after careful consideration, the creative team decided that the story would be more effectively told as a theatrical follow-up to the 2016 film that so many adore.

Apart from Derrick Jr explaining the origin of Moana’s younger sibling, Simea, Hand also revealed during a Q&A at Walt Disney Animation Studios an additional significant aspect about this character. In the co-director’s own words:

It appears we share a common bond as parents or those who deeply value our siblings. Regardless of what Moana might emphasize about the importance of her people’s future, when faced with the possibility that her sister may not return, it holds no weight for a three-year-old. This is a challenging situation for Moana because she values her little sister immensely and logically understands the importance of her role in the future of her people. However, at such a young age, emotions dominate over logic. Therefore, Moana must grapple with this complex issue that involves both the emotional bond with her sister and the logical responsibility for her people.

In the animated movie “Moana”, at just 16 years old, Moana was embarking on adventures and guiding her people for the first time. I’m excited about the sequel because it will delve into profound themes about how family can significantly shape one’s personal viewpoint, pushing for growth and maturity. During my conversations with the filmmakers, they hinted that Pua, the lovable pig, would be joining Moana on her canoe this time, a decision possibly made due to fan demand.

I’m really looking forward to catching up with Moana in her upcoming Disney sequel, which will be released in theaters on November 27th!

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2024-11-06 05:37