Premiere - Moana 2 World Premiere: A Night of Stars, Heritage, and the Spirit of Oceania

By Mulder, Hawaii, Kapolei , Lanikūhonua Cultural Institut, 21 november 2024

On November 21, 2024, the Lanikūhonua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii, hosted the world premiere of Disney Animation's Moana 2, a sequel that continues the journey of the beloved Polynesian heroine. The event was a vibrant celebration of Pacific Islander heritage, featuring performances by Tiana Nonosina Liufau, Kayla Faʻamaligi, and other Polynesian creatives, honoring the cultures and traditions that inspired the Moana narrative. Auli'i Cravalho, reprising her role as Moana, expressed her excitement about the character's evolution, stating that Moana has transformed into a master navigator since the original film. Dwayne Johnson, returning as the demigod Maui, shared the personal significance of his character, noting that Maui was largely inspired by his grandfather, making the role deeply meaningful to him.

Moana 2, directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, is set to release in theaters worldwide on November 27, 2024. The film follows Moana as she receives a call from her ancestors to break a curse and reconnect the people of various islands. She embarks on a new voyage, forming her own crew and reuniting with Maui to navigate the far seas of Oceania. The voice cast includes Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Hualālai Chung, David Fane, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey, and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, who voices Moana's younger sister, Simea. The film's music features contributions from Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.

The premiere was marked by performances from Hawaiian dancers adorned with leis and waving Hawaiian flags, emphasizing the film's cultural roots. The anticipation for Moana 2 is high, especially following the success of Disney's Inside Out 2, which surpassed $1 billion at the global box office earlier in 2024. The original Moana also achieved significant success, topping the 2016 Thanksgiving box office with $81.1 million over the five-day holiday period. Moana 2 promises to be a visually stunning continuation of Moana's story, blending humor, new characters, and richly layered cultural elements. Initially planned as a streaming series for Disney+, the project evolved into a full-length theatrical release, allowing the filmmakers to amplify both the scale and emotional depth of Moana's journey.

The film introduces new characters, including Moana's sister, voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, and features a core crew with voices like Rose Matafeo, David Fane, and Hualālai Chung, bringing fresh perspectives and camaraderie to the adventure. Temuera Morrison and Nicole Scherzinger reprise their roles as Moana's parents, providing support and wisdom that anchor Moana's connection to her past and future. The antagonists in Moana 2 add depth to the sequel's conflict, with new and returning foes testing Moana's resolve and growth. The film introduces the powerful underworld goddess Matangi, who becomes a formidable obstacle as Moana and her crew navigate through dangerous waters, injecting darker themes and a high-stakes atmosphere into the story.

Produced at Disney's Vancouver studio, Moana 2 marks a historic milestone as Disney leverages global resources to create a seamless blend of artistic traditions. The team developed advanced techniques to bring the vast Pacific seascapes to life with breathtaking detail. Notably, the film uses hand-drawn animation for Maui's tattoos, a tribute to traditional Polynesian art, combining CGI and hand-drawn animation to add layers of authenticity.

The soundtrack carries forward Polynesian themes while exploring new musical territories that reflect Moana's personal and cultural evolution. With Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi returning to score the film, and the addition of songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the music blends powerful melodies and traditional instruments, grounding the film in its rich heritage. Auli'i Cravalho highlighted the musical evolution of her character, noting that the songs delve into deeper layers of Moana's identity, capturing moments of doubt, resilience, and self-discovery. At the D23 Expo, Cravalho performed one of the new songs, We're Back, accompanied by Polynesian dancers, stirring excitement for the film's music.

The first Moana 2 trailer debuted at CinemaCon and then online in May, amassing 178 million views in just 24 hours and breaking records for Disney animated films. This viral response speaks to the immense love fans have for Moana and the curiosity surrounding her next adventure. Beyond its impact on mainstream audiences, Moana 2 holds special significance for Polynesian communities, featuring Hawaiian and Māori language dubbings, with Auli'i Cravalho reprising her role in Hawaiian and several original cast members returning for the Māori version. This commitment to authentic representation deepens Moana's connection to her cultural roots, highlighting Disney's efforts to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of global storytelling.

Set to premiere on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 is poised for a blockbuster debut, with industry analysts projecting opening weekend earnings of $105–115 million. The release during the Thanksgiving weekend—a time traditionally associated with high theater turnout and family gatherings—allows Moana 2 to resonate as a film for all generations, celebrating unity, courage, and the strength found in family and tradition. With advanced CGI, hand-drawn animation, powerful performances, and a storyline that honors both Moana's heritage and the importance of legacy, Moana 2 has all the elements of a modern classic. As Disney's first animated feature produced at the Vancouver studio and the first with such a broad global collaboration, it signals the studio's evolving vision and commitment to inclusive storytelling. Moana's journey in this sequel not only expands her personal growth but also strengthens her ties to a culture that champions respect for the land, the sea, and the stories passed down through generations.

Discover the official video interviews during this World Premiere :

itw Dwayne Johnson

itw Bob Iger

itw Hualalai Chung

itw Jared Bush

itw Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller and David Derrick Jr

itw Khaleesi Lambert Tsuda

itw Gerald Faitala Ramsey

itw Mark Mancina

itw Clark Spencer

itw Christina Chen and Yvett Merino

itw Opetaia Foai

itw Aulii Cravalho

itw Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear

You can discover the official photos in our Flickr page : Arrivals and Step and repeat

Synopsis :
After receiving an unexpected invitation from her ancestors, Moana embarks on a journey that will take her to the dangerous waters at the edge of the Pacific island seas. There, she'll experience adventures the likes of which she's never seen before.

Moana 2
Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Screenplay by Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller
Produced by Christina Chen, Yvett Merino
Starring Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Rachel House, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey, Alan Tudyk, Cerise Calixte, Anthony Kavanagh, Mareva Galanter
Music by Mark Mancina (score and songs), Opetaia Foaʻi (score and songs), Abigail Barlow (songs), Emily Bear (songs)
Production company : Walt Disney Animation Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (United States), The Walt Disney Company France (France)
Release date : November 27, 2024 (United States, France)