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Auli'i Cravalho will play Moana in Moana 2 as Disney confirms sequel

28 February 2024, 10:16

Watch the first trailer for Moana 2

By Katie Louise Smith

Moana 2 will be released on November 27th 2024, and Auli'i Cravalho is now confirmed to be returning to voice the titular role.

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Surprise! Disney just announced a very unexpected sequel to Moana, and no, we're not talking about the live-action version that's currently in the works.

Moana 2 – yes, a brand new animated sequel is coming! – was initially developed as a TV series for Disney+, but Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that they were "impressed by what we saw and knew it deserved a theatrical release".

Moana 2, which will be released on November 27th 2024, will be an "expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers".

However, while the news has excited fans of the animated banger, a handful of details about who is not confirmed to be returning has got some worried.

Disney announces Moana 2 – but will Auli'i Cravalho play Moana again? Picture: Disney

The official synopsis for the Moana sequel reads: "After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced."

While Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i will return to compose the score and the songs, Lin-Manuel Miranda will not be back. Lin previously penned the likes of 'How Far I'll Go' and 'You're Welcome'. He'll be replaced by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who wrote the The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.

The official full cast list has not been revealed, which means it's currently unclear if Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson will be back as Maui. It's reported that he is currently in talks.

But Deadline have now reported that Auli'i Cravalho will "definitely" return as Moana. Auli'i also confirmed the news in a social media post on February 28th alongside the caption: "We’re sailing WAY beyond the reef this November… #Moana2"

Is Auli'i Cravalho playing Moana in Moana 2?

According to reports, Auli'i is officially returning to voice the character she originated in the first Moana film. It's possible that she'll also be involved in the film in other ways.

After the news broke on social media, Auli'i posted a TikTok video revealing that she had kept the whole thing a secret.

"When my friends find out Moana 2 is releasing this year from a Disney animation post and not me..." she wrote in the caption. She did not confirm her return to the iconic role at the time.

It's possible that Auli'i might also be a producer on the film, similar to the role she will have in the live-action adaptation.

She previously confirmed that she will not play Moana in the live-action version, opting to step away and "pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent".