What have we here? It's a sparkly, shiny... new look at Disney's upcoming surprise sequel Moana 2! Yes, during the House of Mouse's 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders yesterday, the company shared some more info on the hotly anticipated follow-up to their smash-hit 2016 animated movie musical. Make way, make way — new image inbound. Check it out above.
Yes, this may be just a single frame from Disney's seafaring sequel, but there's already plenty to catch the eye here. Moana looks older and more confident here, her oar (rocking Maui's fish hook and heart engraving) leading the way. And the animation looks luscious — consider the hair texture and lighting, the oak and the seas. And also – holy mother of Tamatoa, is that a sea monster behind her? It certainly looks like it, tentacles, beady blue eyes and all.
And sea monster sightings certainly track with the synopsis The Walt Disney Company issued along with the new shot: "Perils abound! In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new epic animated musical, Moana 2, three years since her first voyage, Moana is on an expansive journey in search of people beyond the shores of Motunui. Joined by Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced."
And that isn't all, folks. Despite the sad news that Lin-Manuel Miranda won't be back on songwriting duties this time around (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical's Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are aboard instead), we can at least now confirm that Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho will be back as Maui and Moana for the sequel series-turned-feature follow-up. What can we say except you're welcome?
We'll see how far Motunui's fearless leader goes this time when Moana 2, directed by Dave Derrick Jr., releases in theatres on 27 November, 2024.