“Keep tuned, we’re solely getting began.”
These have been the prophetic phrases of Moana franchise star Auli’i Cravalho at D23 right now in a sit-down chat in regards to the upcoming sequel Moana 2.
Whereas there was no particular chatter right now out of two Moana panels about an animated threequel per se, it wouldn’t be a shocker if Moana 3 occurs.
Unique animated movies are laborious 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 time, Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 grew to become the very best grossing animated film of all-time with $1.56 billion.
Moana scribe Jared Bush touched briefly right now 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 laborious to crack, however they discovered a method into Moana.
Final night time Cravalho made a splash with Moana 2‘s Maui himself, Dwayne Johnson, at Disney D23’s Honda Heart movie presentation with one other trailer dropped. Earlier right now the actress and the filmmakers hit the Anaheim Conference Heart commerce flooring to stoke followers in regards to the subsequent chapter in regards to the Polynesian strong-willed daughter.
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In Moana 2, Moana believes that extra of her individuals dwell 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 power 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+ sequence was being became 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 during which “a girl wasn’t afraid to transcend the reef,” to not point out “we don’t want a prince to avoid wasting us.”
Cravalho informed the group that the primary film is utilized in college curriculums within the state to show individuals in regards to the native Hawaiian language.
Earlier than Cravalho’s chat right now, 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.
Stated Bush about taking a stab at a musical part-two, “There’s not a number of sequels to musicals. And the rationale for that’s as a result of in a musical, your predominant 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 know herself. There was one thing within her that she wasn’t in a position to 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 essential. There’s nonetheless lots left for her to find about herself.”
Not addressed at both sit-down right now was how the sequel was spawned from its origins as a Disney+ sequence. Already, as seen within the trailer, the film’s CGI has been beefed up for pure components corresponding to ocean waves.
Bush was requested by a fan in regards to 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 gained’t reprise the title position, fairly, younger star Catherine Laga’aia is stepping in to play Moana.
Bush informed 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 look at each of these items occur,” the author added whereas staying mum.
Moana 2 opens on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
