Everything you need to know as Disney confirm Moana 2 for 2024
It will arrive in November 2024!
Last updated 28th Feb 2024
Believe it or not, it's now been eight years since the release of Disney's iconic movie Moana, featuring Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson and Alan Tudyk. With upbeat and catchy tunes like 'You're Welcome' and ''Where You Are', it's no shock the animated movie was a huge success around the globe.
Fast-forward to 7th February 2024, and Disney fans have been left in a tizzy, as Walt Disney Animation Studios have only gone and dropped news of a surprise sequel. And that's not even the best bit... Moana 2 will land in cinemas worldwide in November 2024!
What is Moana 2 about?
Sharing a 16-second clip to the world, Disney said: 'Moana 2 takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced'.
According to reports, Moana 2 will be instead of the originally planned Moana series on Disney+.
Check out the first look for Moana 2 below:
The official synopsis from Disney says: 'After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Moana and Maui will be joined by a new cast of seafarers.'
When is it out?
Moana 2 will land in cinemas worldwide on 27th November 2024.
Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said of the sequel: “Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise. And we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theatres this November.”
Who is in the cast?
Fans will be pleased to know that both Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will return as Moana and Maui. Although it hasn't yet been confirmed by Disney, characters such as Heihei (Alan Tudyk), and Moana's pet Pua could also return for the sequel.
On Tuesday 27th February, Auli'i Cravalho took to Instagram to confirm her involvement. Sharing a video of herself with the words: 'The feeling when you're officially returning to Motunui', the actress wrote: 'We’re sailing WAY beyond the reef this November… ❤️🌀🐚 #Moana2'. (sic)
Disney are yet to reveal any further casting, but they did state that 'New Seafarers' will feature.
Who directed it?
Moana 2 has been directed by Dave Derrick Jr. The music is by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.
What songs are in Moana 2?
There's no word yet on which songs will feature in the sequel, but if the first movie is anything to go by, Moana 2 will feature song amazing original tracks.
Check out all of the Disney live-action movies coming soon:
Mufasa: The Lion King
Release date: 20th December 2024
Remake of: Prequel to The Lion King (2019)
Set to come out near Christmas 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King follows on from The Lion King live-action remake from 2019, and will see Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen reprise their roles as Timon and Pumbaa and take on a bigger role. Also returning will be John Kani as Rafiki, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. The film is a prequel story following Mufasa and how he became King - with the trailer dropping in April 2024.
Other cast members include Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki, Preston Nyman as Zazu, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandiwe Newton as Taka's mother Eshe, Lennie James as Taka's father Obasi, Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa's mother Afia, Keith David as Mufasa's father Masego and Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala.
Snow White
Release date: 21st March 2025
Remake of: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Yep, classic tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is also getting a remake! Filming for the film is expected to start in 2022, and it is reported that it will feature original songs written by Pasek and Paul - the duo behind hit films La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman. The film will be with us in 2024.
Rachel Zegler, who made her feature film debut in Steven Spielberg's version of West Side Story in 2022, is set to star in the leading role, alongside Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot, who will be stepping into the villain role.
Moana
Release date: 10th July 2026
Remake of: Moana (2016)
Dwayne Johnson confirmed in a sweet video in April 2023 that he would be reprising his role as demigod Maui in a live-action remake of Moana! He admitted that the project was in the very early stages, but that he couldn't wait to get going.
His co-star, Auli'I Cravalho, also confirmed that she would be returning to the franchise, but later announced that she would not be reprising her role as the titular character.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Status: Announced
Remake of: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
In January 2019, a live-action remake of The Hunchback of Notre Dame was announced after actor Josh Gad revealed he was helming the new project. Josh, who is the voice of Olaf the Snowman in the Frozen film franchise and starred in the live-action remake of The Beauty and the Beast in 2017, reveal that he'd taken a trip to Paris in January 2019 to research the film.
Posting a photo of himself under the famous Notre Dame cathedral in the French capital city, he cryptically wrote: 'Sing the bells, bells, bells Bells, bells, bells, bells, bells...'
The remake has been confirmed by People magazine, and Deadline have revealed that original composer Alan Menken will team up with Stephen Schwartz to write the music - although we're hoping that they keep most of the original songs!
The original 1996 film was very loosely based on the original 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, and was given the Disney treatment to remove some of the heavier topics from the book - although is still considered to be one of the darker Disney films.
Lilo & Stitch
Status: Pre-Production
Remake of: Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Very little is known at this stage what will be in the film, but a live-action reboot of Lilo & Stitch was announced in February 2020. However, we do know that Maia Kealoha will play Lilo, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong will play her sister Nani and that Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen have also signed on in currently unnamed roles.
The original film's writer, director and voice of Stitch, Chris Sanders, will be returning to voice the character again. Dean Fleischer Camp will take on direction after the success of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, and the film will supposedly be released straight onto Disney+.
Aladdin 2
Status: Announced
Remake of: Sequel to Aladdin (2019)
In February 2020, it was announced that Disney were pursuing a sequel to the live-action Aladdin, which was released in 2019. So far, all we know is that the writers Andrea Berloff and John Gatins are returning, but there's no word on whether the cast or director, Guy Ritchie, will be reuniting with Disney for the project.
It's also being reported that the new film will not take any inspiration from the original animated film's sequels: Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, and will be a totally new story.
The film is likely to have a theatrical release, instead of being put directly onto Disney's streaming service, Disney+.
In September 2021, Mena Massoud, who starred in the 2019 film, told Screen Rant: "They're working on it. They're trying to make it happen. That's really all I know. As you know, usually actors are the last piece of the puzzle, so the studio has got a lot to worry about before they start thinking about the actors.
"Obviously, I would hope that all of us come back and Naomi, Will and I all come back and the rest of the cast, Marwan, Navid, Nasim, everybody. But right now, as far as I know, they're just working on the script and trying to make it happen."
Disney were also reportedly looking into a prequel for Aladdin entitled Genies, focusing on Will Smith's character - although he wasn't linked to the project. However, that was scrapped in May 2021. There's also a rumoured spin-off, to focus on the character of Prince Anders from the 2019 film starring Billy Magnussen.
Hercules
Status: Announced
Remake of: Hercules (1997)
Hercules is in line for a live-action remake, with Joe and Anthony Russo AKA The Russo Brothers - best known for being the brains behind Avengers: Endgame and Infinity War - will produce the film, but not direct it. Guy Ritchie was attached to direct initially, but it's since been rumoured that he's left the project.
Writing the script will be Dave Callaham, who wrote the Expendables film series and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as Wonder Woman 1984 and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2. In April 2024, the Russo brothers confirmed they had not yet had a script for the project, but that it was still happening.
Although it's still too early to confirm any cast members, fans are keen for Miss 'God is a Woman' herself, Ariana Grande, to take on the role of Megara, following the singer's cover of 'I Won't Say I'm in Love' during The Disney Family Singalong in 2020.
Robin Hood
Status: Rumoured
Remake of: Robin Hood (1973)
Rumours began swirling in April 2020 that Disney were planning to tackle Robin Hood for the live-action treatment. According to Empire Online, the corporation will be remaking the beloved fox and bear combo of Robin Hood and Little John - but will they keep them as animals or turn them into people? Only time will tell.
The publication reports that Carlos Lopez Estrada has signed on as director, having previously worked on the likes of Blindspotting and Billie Eilish's music video for 'When the Party's Over', and that the script will be written by Kari Granlund, who wrote the recent remake of Lady and the Tramp, and also worked on Godmothered - another Disney film starring Isla Fisher.
Bambi
Status: Announced
Remake of: Bambi (1942)
Again, not much is known about this remake so far, but it reported that it will be made with CGI just like The Jungle Book and The Lion King.
Confirming the remake, Variety reported that screenwriters Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Lindsey Beer (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser) will write the screenplay, with Chris and Paul Weitz's Depth of Field producing.
Beauty and the Beast prequel series
Status: Rumoured
Remake of: Beauty and the Beast (1991) and sequel to Beauty and the Beast (2017)
There's a new series in the pipeline, a sequel about the character Le Fou from Beauty and the Beast! Fans will remember the character being a lapdog to Gaston, a potential love interest of Belle - the eponymous Beauty.
In the live-action remake, actor Josh Gad played the character as gay and had an unrequited love for Gaston, and the new series is going to focus on these two characters as a prequel before the events of the Beauty and the Beast film.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Once Upon a Time creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz will be writing the show, and it's been described as a "six-episode musical event". Composer Alan Menken will also return to write new music.
The Aristocats
Status: Announced
Remake of: The Aristocats (1970)
A live-action remake of The Aristocats is in the pipeline, with Jimmy Fallon's house band the Roots member Questlove directing. Not much else is known about the film at this point, but we do know that it'll be a mix of live-action performances and CGI.
Despite Disney announcing plans for a second Moana, it's understood the live-action remake of Moana will also still go ahead, but things are in the very early stages.
Moana 2 will land in cinemas in November 2024.
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