Disney revealed details about the highly anticipated sequel "Moana 2" at the D23 Expo.
It will feature the return of characters Moana and Maui, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, along with new characters and an "incredible new antagonist" in the form of a powerful storm.
The original 'Moana' movie, released in 2016, was a box office hit, grossing approximately $643 million worldwide and receiving praise for its animation, storytelling, earning multiple award nominations, including the Oscars.
Its success led to the development of the sequel, initially planned as a TV series but later reworked into a movie.
The plot is set three years after the first movie. Moana receives a call from her navigator ancestors to explore distant seas of Oceania and find a mystical island that can end the curse isolating her people.
She is aided by Maui, Hei Hei the chicken, and Pua the pig, with the creators promising a film "way bigger" than the original, exploring themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and courage.
The voice cast includes returning talents like Cravalho and Johnson, along with new additions such as Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Hualālai Chung, David Fane, Rose Matafeo, and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea, Moana's younger sister.
New music will be composed by Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina, without contributions from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The film is set for a theatrical release on November 27 in the US and November 28 in other regions.
Disney is also working on a live-action adaptation of the first "Moana" movie, set to premiere in 2025, providing a new perspective on the story with added realism.
Sources: Vanguardia, O Antagonista, Ei Nerd, Pipoca Moderna, Mais Goiás, AOL, Harian Terbit, Deadline, Channel News Asia, AL.com, Us Weekly, La República.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
