HOLLYWOOD, CA — While work on the journey begins, the creative team behind the sequel promises they are not out to reinvent the wheel; the film’s overall tone will honor the original spirit. Picking up where the first movie left off, in which Moana announced, “I am Moana,” the new narrative moves away from the theme of ancestral connection to one of potential: where will this generation go next? “Moana takes this extraordinary journey. She discovers who she is,” said Dana Ledoux Miller, one of the directors on Moana 2, to Nitecast Media at the 3rd Annual Critics Choice AAPI Celebration of Film and Television. “She has a new call from the ancestors, and her mission is to forge a new future for the people she loves the most.”
Representation is important, and where and appropriate, some Moana 2, with Moana and her family in mind, needs to embrace this. Set in a cinematic landscape where narratives from different cultures have often been missing, the film sets out to tell culturally specific yet universally relevant stories. “We don’t see a lot; we hardly ever see people telling stories from very specific cultures,” Ledoux Miller said. “What prompted us to first tell the story of Moana? Is there more to tell? We were literally in the first movie just dipping our toe into the stories that we could tell,” David Derrick Jr, Moana 2 director, said.
Taking place three years after the events of the original movie, Moana 2 finds Moana’s home island expanded as she embarks on her journey to unite her people with those of the Pacific Ocean. This telling endeavor is to build empathy by showing the cultural richness of the Pacific Islands.
“The people of Pacific [culture] came upon the last discoverable land on Earth. We have a lot more stories to tell,” Derrick said. “To continue telling the story of Moana in this new way is that we get to continue cultivating empathy!”
The returning cast features fan favorites like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui and Auli’i Cravalho as Moana, who have received positive reviews for their exuberant performances. Performers new to the cast bring a whirl of new energy and talent. “Joining the ensemble cast, ‘Samoa’s first rom-com queen Rose Matafeo and our comedic legend David Fane,” Derrick Jr. said. “Rounding out the dynamic crew is Hua Le Lai Chung, a fresh face with a talent for fire knife dancing, and Afimai Frazier, a fantastic singer who plays the new demigod Matangi.“
With these exciting developments, “Moana 2” promises to be a heartfelt continuation of Moana’s journey, celebrating the vibrant cultures of the Pacific and resonating with audiences worldwide.
