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- By Ian Young
- Arts and entertainment reporter
The original Moana was the most streamed film of 2023 in the US, according to Disney
Moana returns to theaters after Disney’s surprise announcement that a film sequel will be released this year.
The story of an adventurous Polynesian girl who sets sail on a mission to save her people was a hit in 2016.
A sequel was mooted as a Disney+ series, but the company is now bringing it to theaters after a series of disappointing performances on the big screen.
The move sets up a box office battle with the first Wicked film, which is scheduled for release on November 27.
Disney released a short first trailer showing Moana standing on a beach and blowing on a seashell.
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The new musical will take audiences “on an expansive new journey with Moana, Maui, and a new crew of unlikely sailors,” the description read.
“After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the distant seas of Oceania and dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she has ever faced before.”
This time, composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Oscar-nominated for the original, will not be working on the music.
It will be created by four composers, including songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who rose to fame in 2022 after creating an unofficial Bridgerton musical on TikTok.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the original Moana was the most streamed movie of 2023 on any platform in the United States.
Speaking about the sequel, he said: “This was originally developed as a series, but we were impressed with what we saw and knew it deserved a theatrical release.”
Disney released the first image of Moana 2
A live-action version of the original film is also in development, starring Dwayne Johnson as the gregarious demigod Maui, the character he voiced in the animation.
“Moana continues to be an incredibly popular franchise and we can’t wait to bring you more of Moana and Maui,” Iger added.
Movie studios typically schedule their schedules several years in advance, making Moana 2 a relatively late entry to Disney’s schedule.
And the move suggests that the company is still determined to generate success in theaters rather than focusing on streaming.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ last two films, Wish and Strange World, were original stories that disappointed at the box office.
The Marvels and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny were among Disney’s other box office disappointments in 2023.