Moana’s oceanic journey is set to continue with Moana 2, and it’s shaping up to be one filled with brand-new songs, bigger threats, and overall higher stakes. The latest trailer for the animated sequel has dropped an extended look at what’s to come, alongside a new crew for the titular heroine.
The two-minute video opens with the reminder that Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) is now an older sister, setting the stage for her discovery of an ancient island, where the curse can only be lifted if one steps foot on it. To do so, she assembles a crew of both new and old faces, including island residents Loto, Moni, and Kele, as well as demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and her animal companions Pua and Heihei.
This time, the big bad takes the form of underworld goddess Matangi, voiced by Awhimai Fraser. While the trailer introduces her as a powerful villain, it remains to be seen if she will eventually become an ally, following in the shoes of many other Disney characters in the past.
Moana 2 is co-created by David Derrick Jr. (Megamind, Raya and the Last Dragon), Jason Hand (Encanto, Big Hero 6), and Dana Ledoux Miller (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides). Initially created as a TV series on Disney+, it’s now scheduled to sail into theatres on 27 November.
The first trailer for the film, featuring the return of Cravalho and Johnson, saw an impressive 178 million views within the first 24 hours across multiple social media platforms, becoming the most-watched trailer in Disney’s history. Three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, who worked on the original movie, also returns to helm the score, joining Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical), and Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
