Along with formally announcing that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho will be making a comeback in Moana 2, Disney also released a brand-new picture of the eagerly awaited film, which is scheduled to hit theaters on November 27, 2024.
During Disney’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the first image was leaked on X/Twitter. It shows an elder Moana sailing with a confident expression on her face. She is also clutching an oar etched with a heart and Maui’s fish hook.
The island behind her, which might very well be a massive monster or shell creature with eyes, tentacles, and a huge mouth, is perhaps the most worrisome thing.
A brief teaser for Moana 2 was released back in February. The story of Moana’s latest adventure begins when she receives a “surprising call from her wayfinding ancestors.”
“Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2 takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers,” according to the official press release. “When Moana gets an unexpected summons from her navigational ancestors, she sets out on an adventure unlike anything she has ever experienced, traveling to the distant reaches of Oceania and into perilous, long-lost waters. Moana 2, which is helmed by Dave Derrick Jr. and has music by three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, will hit theaters on November 27, 2024.”
In our review, which was published when the first Moana came out in 2016, we stated that while narratively Moana may not be as innovative or as noteworthy as Disney’s previous animated feature Zootopia, it is nevertheless highly recommended. In a fun and lovely way, the movie has the powerful humor, skillfully performed action, catchy soundtrack, and endearing characters that Disney has perfected.”
