Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho Not Yet Confirmed for Moana 2 Return

Disney surprised everyone on Wednesday after announcing that Moana 2 will hit cinemas this November. However, the question whether Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho will be back to reprise their roles as Maui and Moana is yet to be confirmed. Both stars reacted to the news on social media, but according to Deadline both are currently just in talks to voice their animated counterparts. You can see their respective posts below.

With a Marvel-sized hole to fill, Disney have retooled their planned Moana TV show as a feature film and the first teaser is already here. Check out the first look at the movie below.

A series sequel to the 2016 hit was originally announced early in 2022, with director David G. Derrick Jr being drafted in to direct the show for a Disney+ release. There has been very little said about the project since, with most of the attention shifting to the live-action movie that is now in development.

However, with the live-action movie currently having a release date of June 27, 2025, this could mean that Moana fans could be getting two movies pretty much back-to-back. Whether the new announcement will change this in some way is yet to be seen, but it seems that Moana’s popularity is certainly something Disney are looking to capitalize on. Speaking to CNBC ahead of the studio’s Q1 earnings, CEO Bob Iger said:

According to the details revealed, “Part two will 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. Sequel is directed by Dave Derrick Jr. with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.”

Moana’s Live-Action Remake Will Be Dwayne Johnson’s Next Movie

Back in November, following the resolution of the writers’ strike, Dwanye Johnson revealed that he would be bringing Maui to the big screen in live-action in a remake of Disney’s 2016 movie. While the original movie’s other lead, Auli’i Cravalho was originally thought to be playing the titular role, the actress later revealed that she would not be taking part in the movie as she would rather allow a new actress to potentially get their big break playing the role of Moana.

Moana

Release Date

November 23, 2016

Runtime

103

Studio

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Tagline

The ocean is calling

Franchise

Disney Animated Films

Johnson also confirmed that the film will be directed by Thomas Kail, and that Lin-Manuel Miranda will return to work on the music, which will likely include new original songs specially created for the live-action version. Whether there are any new updates on this version to come in light of the new announcement about Moana 2 is something fans will wait for with bated breath.