Disney dropped a fresh still from Moana 2 on social media and confirmed Dwayne Johnson’s return to the franchise as Maui’s voice actor during the entertainment company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Sharing the picture on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the entertainment company wrote, “Check out this brand-new still from #Moana2, only in theatres this November.”
In the picture, an older Moana can be seen wielding an oar with a heart and Maui’s fish hook engraved on it while sailing on the sea. The still features Moana in her signature tapa top and pandanus skirt coupled with a shredded pandanus underskirt. A giant monster with eyes and tentacles shows up behind Moana from the cracks of an island.
Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the shareholders of the company at the event and confirmed Dwayne Johnson’s return to the film as Maui’s voice actor. “Three years since her first voyage, Moana is heading out on an epic journey to find and reconnect the people of the ocean,” Iger said in a statement.
“We can’t wait to take audiences on another amazing journey with Moana and Maui, and we are excited to confirm that both Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson are back reprising their roles,” he added.
Iger mentioned that Moana still remains one of the most popular franchises. “The original film from 2016 recently crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+ and was the most streamed movie of 2023 on any platform in the U.S,” he said.
Directed by Dave Derrick Jr, Moana 2 will take fans on a new adventure with Moana, Maui and a group of unusual sailors. After Moana receives a call from her ancestors, she embarks on a journey to the treacherous waters of Oceania for an adventure “unlike anything she’s ever faced”, reveals the teaser dropped by Disney on February 8.
Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original film, is set to reprise her role for the sequel. Amassing over USD 680 million worldwide, Moana was a box-office hit. “The original Moana film from 2016 recently crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney Plus and was the most streamed movie of 2023 on any platform in the US,” Iger said.
The original film followed the journey of a spirited Polynesian teenager, Moana, who sets sail across the ocean to save her island from a curse. On the way, she teams up with Maui, overcomes obstacles and learns about her identity as a seafarer.
Moana 2 is slated to hit theatres on November 27.