Kapolei, Hawaii: For Auli’i Cravalho, reprising her role in Walt Disney’s highly anticipated sequel Moana 2 feels like coming home. The Hawaiian native sees the project as deeply personal, not just for herself but for her character, Moana.
“Moana’s journey will take her very far, but also that growth means coming back home and experiencing that with your community,” Cravalho shared with Reuters. She emphasized the broader cultural celebration embedded in the sequel, saying, “Speaking of community, the connection of all of the people across the Pacific, this feels like a celebration of Pan Pacific, Pan Polynesian culture.”
The sequel is not just a professional milestone for its cast and creators; it’s an emotional journey. “It feels so incredible that my growth as a human seems to be juxtaposed with hers (Moana’s),” Cravalho reflected.
Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, Moana 2 is set to debut on Wednesday, with industry projections estimating a $145 million haul over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, according to Nielsen’s National Research Group.
A Journey Across the Pacific
In this sequel, Moana receives a call from her wayfinding ancestors, urging her to break the curse of the god Nalo, which isolates the islands’ communities. She assembles her own crew, reuniting with the beloved demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, as they embark on an epic adventure across the seas.
The musical journey of the film has also evolved. While Lin-Manuel Miranda composed the music for the original Moana, the sequel brings fresh sounds from Grammy-winning duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Known for their viral success with The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, the duo aimed to honor the original’s legacy while introducing their unique style.
“We wanted to pay homage to the beautiful world of the first Moana, but also bring our own flair to it,” they noted, highlighting their approach to creating a vibrant and authentic soundtrack for the sequel.
A Celebration of Pacific Islander Culture
Incorporating even more Pacific Islander culture into the film was a priority for the directors. “I think it’s so special that we get to celebrate the Pacific in these films,” said Ledoux Miller. “We get to have a heroine who is just so compelling and empathetic and awesome and weird and goofy.”
The Samoan director also highlighted how Moana’s values resonate with Pacific Islander communities. “I think we can see a little bit of ourselves in her,” she said, referring to shared cultural values of family and togetherness.
For the creative team, Moana 2 is a blend of nostalgia and novelty—taking audiences on a “new adventure with old friends.”
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Building on Disney’s Legacy
The sequel arrives amidst high expectations, following the phenomenal success of Disney’s Inside Out 2, which became the fastest animated film to cross $1 billion globally. The first Moana was also a major box office hit, earning $81.1 million over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2016.
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Moana 2 promises to continue Disney’s legacy of heartwarming storytelling while shining a spotlight on the vibrant cultures of the Pacific.
