In 2016, Disney’sMoanaintroduced the beloved Polynesian wayfinder to audiences,grossing over $687 million worldwide.
A follow-up was inevitable, includinga live-action remake, which is currently on the way.
When Disney execs first announced a sequel, fans were excited, but an air of confusion followed.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
ButMoanathe heart and soul of a theatrical experience?
Something didnt feel right about relegating such a vibrant, mythic, and celebrated character to an episodic format.
In 2020,Disney revealed that aMoanasequel was in developmentexcept not in the way most fans hoped.
Image via Disney
Instead of a full-fledged theatrical release, the story was slated to continue as a musical series on Disney+.
The concept wasnt inherently bad.
But the series plan came with a huge risk.
A streaming series, especially animated, often operates on tighter budgets, where episodic pacing can feel disjointed.
The intimacy and grandeur ofMoanasHawaiian worldits sweeping ocean vistas and celestial mythologydeserve cinematic scale.
Nobody was ready to say goodbye to Woody.
Moana sets out on another daring voyage, venturing into uncharted territories to save her island from a looming ancient danger. Joined by the demigod Maui and her steadfast friends, she braves perilous seas and encounters new allies along the way. Her quest leads to revelations about her ancestors and deeper insights into her bond with the ocean.
Moanas transformation taps into those very roots.
That kind of mythic, identity-defining journey demands a singular, focused arc.
In theaters, the iconic wayfinder gets the impact she deserves: personal, communal, and transformative.
Derrick Jr. states toSR, “I think it always begs for the big screen.”
Moanas demigod transformation is a statement.
Her quest leads to revelations about her ancestors and deeper insights into her bond with the ocean.
