At the epic D23 Expo this past weekend, Moana 2 was the first project to kick off the DIsney Entertainment Showcase, which featured a host of upcoming film announcements from all of the Disney family of studios. Moana herself, Auli’i Cravalho, was on hand perform a new original song, surrounded by an incredible group of Hawaiian dancers.
Cravalho was then joined by the voice of Maui, Dwayne Johnson, who confirmed that he would be singing once again in the sequel film, and teased a new villain who is “the storm of storms.”
The star duo then revealed the new official trailer for Moana 2, which was also released online shortly thereafter.
The animation in the trailer looks beautiful as expected, and it’s so much fun to see the characters from the first film, including Pua and Heihei, back again. We see a glimpse of the villain that Johnson was referring to, Matangi (voiced by Awhimai Fraser), as well as Moana’s little sister Simea (voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda).
At the D23 Expo presentation, Cravalho mentioned that Simea would play an important role in the sequel story. It’s exciting to see the Moana family of characters expand with Simea, and it looks like Moana will also have the help of a new crew with Moni (voiced by Hualālai Chung), Kele (voiced by David Fane) and Loto (voiced by Rose Matafeo).
Check out the new trailer and images. Moana 2 is set to premiere November 27 in theaters!
About Moana 2:
Chee hoo! Moana, Maui, Heihei, Pua the pig and the dart-wielding Kakamora are back—and that’s just for starters in the all-new big-screen adventure. A new trailer and poster are now available for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” opening in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024. The trailer received an enthusiastic response tonight when stars Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson—together on the D23 stage for the first time ever—shared it with fans attending the studio showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Cravalho wowed the audience with a live performance of one of the film’s new songs, “We’re Back,” with dancers and drummers from Nonosina Polynesia under the direction of Tiana Liufau—who contributed animation reference choreography to “Moana” and the new film—and Johnson led the audience in a rousing “chee hoo!” chant.
Also revealed were additional voice cast, including returning stars Rachel House (Moana’s Grandma, Tala), Temuera Morrison (Moana’s father, Chief Tui) and Nicole Scherzinger (Moana’s mother, Sina). The film also features the voices of Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo as Moana’s new crew members Moni, Kele and Loto, respectively. Awhimai Fraser voices mysterious new character Matangi; Gerald Ramsey plays Moana’s ancestor, Tautai Vasa; and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable little sister, Simea.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a 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. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
