It literally feels like yesterday that the beloved Disney movie Moana was released; I would have never guessed it has been eight years. I remember just recently rewatching Moana and becoming obsessed all over again with the soundtrack, animation, and storyline. To me, Moana is emotional, intense, and perfectly crafted, making it one of the best Disney movies. With a teaser that dropped on Feb. 7 and a statement from Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger, its sequel Moana 2 will hit theaters in late 2024, and I have never been more excited. Here are a few more details, insights, and my opinion on the recently announced sequel.
What we know
Originally, Moana 2 was set to be a TV series, but Iger so was impressed with the footage that he chose for it to be a film. And rightfully so, because the “incredibly popular” franchise will surely draw a large audience for the release of the sequel film on Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.
While not a lot has been revealed about the plot of the sequel, there have been small details here and there that have been released. From Disney’s official tagline, we know that Moana journeys “to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.” Additionally, Iger commented on how the sequel brings “a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers” along Moana and Maui’s journey. This leaves endless opportunities and allows fans to open up their imagination to the possibilities they will encounter.
Lin Manuel Miranda is not expected to return, according to Variety. He wrote part of the Moana soundtrack, and most famously, “How Far I’ll Go.” However, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, also known for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, plan to work alongside the original composers for the first movie.
what I think
While the idea of a TV series is very unique, getting a full-length movie is so rewarding. Getting to make the release day into a whole event is so exciting. As the movie plans to be a strictly in-theater release, the suspense and planning leading up to the singular release date will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
Since there’s not much to go off of for the plot, I truly have no idea which direction this will go. I hope that along their journey, Moana and Maui stumble across another inhabited island. In the original movie, we only saw the island that Maui was discovered on, but no other civilization. Getting to introduce new characters that possibly join or aid them on their journey from another island that Moana is unfamiliar with opens up even more questions about the future cast.
It’s sad to hear that Lin-Manuel Miranda will not be assisting in producing Moana 2. I believe the soundtrack is one of the best parts of the original movie. The songs are all so catchy, making Moana such a memorable movie. However, I think the Bridgerton Musical song producers have a chance at making the sequel just as good. While I have not seen Bridgerton, listening to Barlow and Bear’s album was very enticing. I see these two producers’ potential and can’t wait to see where it goes.
Moana is a movie that is such a core memory for me, and I’m so excited to hear that it has a sequel on the way! I can’t wait for more details to drop as the release date approaches and all the ideas that people come up with.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest!