Disney fans were treated with the latest wave of Disney announcements by Dwayne Johnson who revealed plans for a live-action reimagining of the beloved 2016 musical, Moana.
The megastar, who voiced the character Maui in the original film, shared that the project is in the works under his production company, Seven Bucks Productions. Auli’i Cravalho, the voice behind Moana, is also set to executive produce the adaptation.
While the live-action remake is set to hit screens on 27th June 2025, Johnson’s announcement has left fans wondering about the fate of an animated Moana 2.
Despite Disney’s recent trend of unveiling animated sequels like Frozen 3, Zootopia 2, and Toy Story 5, there are currently no official plans for an animated Moana 2 movie for theatrical release.
In January 2022, Disney confirmed a Moana sequel series for Disney+, set to continue the young heroine’s story under the direction of David G. Derrick Jr., who played a pivotal role in the original Moana.
Speculations are rife that a theatrical sequel to Moana might have been shelved in favor of Johnson’s retelling, although this remains unconfirmed.
With no official development news on Moana 2, it appears any potential sequel is still a distant prospect. Disney+ is already set to transport viewers back to Moana’s world in 2024 with an original series serving as a sequel to the 2016 movie, making it unlikely that a theatrical sequel is in the works.
As for Moana’s title conventions, Disney traditionally uses numerical titles for animated sequels, as seen with Frozen, Zootopia, and Toy Story. However, the unique nature of Moana’s narrative might inspire different title options.
Whether Disney opts for a thematic title like “The Way of Water” or draws inspiration from iconic songs like “How Far I’ll Go,” the sequel’s title remains an anticipated mystery.
If Moana 2 does become a reality, it might not see the light of day before 2026, and its development is not a certainty. Disney’s track record suggests that even if a sequel materializes, its title might stick to the familiar numeric convention.
