Moana 2 is officially set to sail with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) returning in the first trailer for the highly anticipated sequel. Joining them are Heihei (Alan Tudyk), pet pig Pua, and a crew of seafarers as they head on a new adventure beyond the reef.
This sequel follows the 2016 original, which grossed $687 million globally. Alongside this animated film, a live-action Moana remake starring Johnson is also being developed at Disney.
Moana receives a call from her wayfinding ancestors, prompting her to journey into the uncharted waters of Oceania. The trailer reveals Moana, now an experienced chief and Wayfinder, setting off on a new quest to reconnect her people across the ocean.
Returning voice cast includes Cravalho and Johnson, with Cravalho expressing her excitement about reprising her role. She emphasized how the character of Moana changed her life and continues to resonate with audiences, particularly young women.
Director Dave Derrick Jr., who worked on the original Moana and other Disney projects like Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto, will make his directorial debut with this sequel.
Derrick shared that working on Moana deepened his connection to his Samoan heritage, and he is honored to continue celebrating Polynesian culture. Jason Hand, known for his work on Big Hero 6 and Zootopia, co-directs the film.
Producers Yvett Merino and Christina Chen bring their expertise from projects like Encanto and Us Again.
Initially planned as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 was reworked into a full-length feature film due to the project’s strong potential. Set to release on November 27, Moana 2 will be the 63rd animated film in the Walt Disney Animation Studios lineup.
