Moana 2: Release date, trailer and latest news
Moana and Maui are sailing back to the big screen.
Eight years after the original Moana starring Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho was released, Disney is bringing the characters back for another action-packed adventure – and now we have a second trailer to prove it.
The sequel sees Cravalho's titular heroine bring together a motley crew to embark on an adventure to the far seas of Oceania after she gets an unexpected call from her ancestors.
And the latest trailer gives fans a first glimpse at all the danger the gang encounter along the way, including a terrifying-looking new adversary.
The footage also brings a first look at a handful of new characters, including Moni, Kele and Loto, portrayed by Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo, as well as Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) and Moana's ancestor Tautai Vasa (Gerald Ramsey).
A previous trailer was unveiled at the D23 fan convention back in August, with the showcase getting off to a Moana-themed start as Moana herself (Auli‘i Cravalho) performed alongside dancers and drummers from Nonosina Polynesia.
They performed the first live edition of We're Back, a brand new song for the sequel written by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, just one of several new tracks that will feature in the new movie.
Dwayne Johnson (who voices Maui) then took to the stage to introduce the new trailer and poster for the film, which teases what's to come in the new movie as we see that Moana has a little sister, Simea, now.
Speaking about the film at the convention, Johnson said that what he loves about Moana 2 is that it’s about a "young girl who is empowered that there’s more in life than what’s in front of her".
"Wait till you see the villains we have in this one, it’s the storm of all storms," he continued.
Moana 2 is separate from the studio’s live-action remake, which is currently in the works and set to star Johnson as the tattooed demigod Maui.
So, when is the sequel set to land in cinemas and who could star? Read on for everything we know so far about the release date and cast.
Moana 2 release date
Not only has Disney announced the movie’s existence, but they’ve also revealed a release date – and it isn't very far away!
The film is set to make a splash in cinemas on Wednesday 27th November 2024 in the US, and Friday 29th November in the UK.
"Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise," the company’s CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "We can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theatres this November."
Iger confirmed to CNBC that Moana 2 is serving as a replacement for a Moana Disney Plus TV series, which was ultimately scrapped for a full-length Moana sequel film.
Moana 2 cast
It wouldn't quite be a Moana movie without the first film's star, Auli’i Cravalho, at the helm, so it's a good thing she's reprising the fan-favourite role for a second time.
Dwayne Johnson will be returning as demigod Maui, and is also set to play the character in the live-action Moana as well.
It's also since been confirmed that the Moana 2 cast will feature Rachel House as Moana’s Grandma Tala, Temuera Morrison as Moana’s father Chief Tui and Nicole Scherzinger as Moana’s mother Sina.
Other cast members include Hualālai Chung, David Fane, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Moana’s little sister Simea.
Behind the camera, Moana 2 will be directed by David Derrick, while Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina will write the new music.
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Moana 2 plot
As we see in the latest trailer for Moana 2, the film begins with Moana returning home from a three-day journey to be greeted by her younger sister, Simea.
Moana then reveals that she found an object on her journey that symbolises an ancient island that's cursed by "angry gods".
"I know what I have to do," Moana says, as she resolves to set out on a journey to break this curse – and starts assembling a crew to accompany her.
The official summary of the movie reads: "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."
Is there a trailer for Moana 2?
Yes! You can watch the second trailer below:
You can watch the first trailer, too, which made its debut at D23 earlier this year, below:
Moana 2 will be released on Wednesday 27th November in the US, and Friday 29th November in the UK.
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
