Surprise: There’s More-ana on the Way

If you’ve been staring at the edge of the water awaiting a Moana sequel, boy do we have news for you. Disney CEO Bob Iger shared a surprise announcement in an interview with CNBC ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings report on February 7, telling children and Disney adults everywhere that Moana 2 is sailing into theaters November 27. “Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise, and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theaters this November,” reads the press release. The new film sees Moana and the demigod Maui sail long-lost waters after receiving a sudden call from her wayfinding ancestors to venture forth through the far seas, per the release. A first-look video accompanied the announcement, giving us a 15-second peek at Moana, who uses a blowing horn on the beach of an apparently deserted island.

On February 27, Deadline reported that Auli’i Cravalho will return to voice Moana in the sequel, Moana 2. Shortly afterward, the actress posted an Instagram video confirming the news. “The feeling when you’re officially returning to Motunui 🥹🐚🌀,” she captioned the short clip. Now, you might recall that Cravalho previously told fans that she wasn’t planning to reprise her role, and would instead help find her successor as an executive producer on the film. The fact that she’s returning after all is kinda on brand for a character who famously sang about coming back to the water no matter how hard she tries.

Moana story artist David Derrick Jr. returns to direct the film, with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. If this news isn’t enough to satisfy insatiable Moana fans, quiet up and listen down: There’s also a live-action version starring the Rock in the works. So, like, More-ana x2. You’re welcome!

This post has been updated with additional information.