Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho are in talks to return as Maui and Moana in Disney’s animated sequel, Moana 2… although Cravalho’s involvement is not certain.
Disney announced this week that Moana 2 would hit theaters on November 27, 2024, and Johnson, 52, shared a sneak peek of the sequel on his Instagram.
Although their participation may seem immovable, Deadline reports that Johnson is still in talks and is said to be “looking good.”
Cravalho, 23, however, is not as far along in the talks as Johnson, with the report even adding that “it is not yet known whether the actress will return to voice the lead character.”
The actress revealed in May that she would not be playing Moana in the live-action Disney Plus project, which was initially going to be a television series.
Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho are in talks to return as Maui and Moana in Disney’s animated sequel, Moana 2… although Cravalho’s involvement is not certain.
Disney announced this week that Moana 2 would hit theaters on November 27, 2024, and Johnson, 52, shared a sneak peek of the sequel on his Instagram.
“I am truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Islander descent, to honor the incredible cultures and communities of our Pacific peoples who help inspire their history,” she said in a statement in May.
‘And I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific performances to come. Mahalo,” she concluded.
The live-action project was eventually turned into a feature film, although Disney CEO Bob Iger mentioned this week that they were so impressed with the project that they decided to turn it into a film sequel.
“Moana continues to be an incredibly popular franchise and we look forward to bringing you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 hits theaters in November,” Iger said ahead of an earnings conference call this week.
The sequel will reportedly follow Moana and Maui on a new adventure with “a new crew of unlikely sailors.”
“After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the distant seas of Oceania and dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure the likes of which she has never faced before,” the description read.
Since Johnson and Cravalho’s involvement isn’t completely locked in yet, it may not be surprising that Disney ultimately ends up pushing back the date to November 27, 2024.
Dave Derrick Jr. directs Moana 2, with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.
“I am truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Islander descent, to honor the incredible cultures and communities of our Pacific people who help inspire their story,” she said in a statement in May.
The live-action project was eventually turned into a feature film, although Disney CEO Bob Iger mentioned this week that they were so impressed with the project that they decided to turn it into a film sequel.
“After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the distant seas of Oceania and dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she has ever faced before,” the description read.
As for the live-action Moana, Johnson will play Maui while also producing under his Seven Bucks Productions banner.
However, it’s unclear who will play Moana at this time, and the report adds that production has yet to begin, making it unlikely she’ll keep her June 27, 2025 date.
The original Moana was directed by Ron Clements, John Musker and Don Hall, from a script by Clements, Musker and Jared Bush.
The film grossed $687 million worldwide in its theatrical release and continues to develop a fan base from its availability on Disney Plus.