Disney fans get ready because one of your favorite movies is back with a whole new story. 2016 musical fantasy adventure film Moana is coming back to the big screen. If you want a peek inside the film, here is what to expect from Moana 2 release date and everything else in between.
Since the sequel was announced in February 2024, fans have been on the edge of their seats waiting for scraps of detail, so without further delay, here is what to expect from the Moana 2 release, cast, and more.
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A Quick Recap
Moana is one of the best Disney movies out there with a solid 7.6 rating on IMDb, and is based on stories from Polynesian mythology. The movie follows Moana Waialiki, the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. However, their people no longer take to the sea.
However, when her island’s fisherman can’t catch any more fish and their crops start to fail, Moana takes things into her own hands. When finding out that the demigod Maui caused the blight by stealing the heart of the goddess, Te Fiti, she persuades him to help her return the heart and heal the lands.
Breaking Down the Moana 2 Trailer
The trailer starts off with a rush as we watch Moana race through the foliage with her adorable pet, Pua. The colors are just as vibrant as before as she makes her way home to her family, and we get to see a first glimpse of Moana’s little sister, Simea.
But things are not as joyous as they seem. As she’s home with her family, a lightning strike breaks through their home. The ominous sign is believed to be her ancestors sending her to an ancient island where she must break a curse and reunite with her people. But even with this dangerous journey, Moana is once again adventuring with demigod Maui.
What to Expect From Moana 2’s Plot
The trailer gives us a glimpse at how Moana’s last journey helped her people explore the sea once more, but it seems there’s still much more to overcome. The call from her ancestors encourages Moana to once again embrace her adventurous side and explore dangerous terrain.
The plot focuses on her quest to not only break a curse on an ancient island but to bring her people together by doing so. Moana must leave her home again, which is similar to the first film’s high stakes. Still, the plot should focus on her bravery, her relationship with new villages, and the amazing banter between her and the demigod.
The Cast of Moana 2
The cast of Moana 2 should look similar to the first film, albeit with a few additions.
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Returning Faces
There are several returning faces in the film. The two main characters are back with Auli’i Cravalho playing Moana and Dwayne Johnson playing Maui. Rachel House is back as Gramma Tala, Temuera Morrison is Chief Tui, and Nicole Scherzinger plays Sina. Alan Tudyk is still as amazing as Hei Hei.
New Faces
Some new faces include Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Moana’s little sister, Simea. Plus, we’ll be seeing new seafarers to aid Maui and Moana in their journey with voices from Rose Matafeo, Hualalai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and David Fane.
What to Expect from Moana 2 Release Date
The sequel is coming out in theaters on November 27th, 2024. From there, the movie should migrate over to Disney Plus, but the date on which that will happen has not been said yet.
What About Live-Action Moana?
Moana 2 is exciting, but for those who are still interested in the live-action Moana, don’t worry, it’s still happening. While the release of the sequel might push back the live-action from its original June 2025 release date to 2026.
In the live-action, fans should be happy to know that Johnson will be playing Maui in the film, although voice actor Cravalho will not be playing Moana. Catherine Laga’aia will be playing the role and journeying to Motunui.
Conclusion
There’s a lot happening in the Moana franchise. With the sequel coming soon and a live-action in the works, Disney fans will be excited to know that they will see a lot of both the adventurer and demigod in the future.
Now that you know what to expect from the Moana 2 release date and more, it’s time to prepare yourself for the exciting adventures to come.
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