Just when you thought this year’s CinemaCon couldn’t get any bigger, The Rock took to the stage. Dwayne Johnson unveiled the trailer for Disney’s Moana sequel, Moana 2. The voice of the demigod Maui was added to the cast list for Disney’s highly anticipated title at an event held in Las Vegas on April 11th. The 51-year-old actor and wrestler took to the stage with a big smile on his face.
The Rock said the Moana series was a completely new and life-changing experience for him. He also assured the audience that all of the songs in Moana 2 will be new. The film is scheduled to be released in November this year.
Members of the National Association of Theater Owners presented Johnson with the Industrial Spirit Award. Afterwards, the first look footage of “Moana 2” was shown.
Auli’i Cravalho will also reprise her role as Moana, the daughter of a Polynesian village chief. In the exclusive footage, Cravalho can be heard singing her joyous song as Moana returns to the island. However, it seems that a new adventure awaits the strong-willed protagonist.
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Dwayne Johnson enjoyed the mini-performances by Polynesian dancers and said he was emotionally invested in the series. He said the character represented his roots and culture.
Dwayne Johnson performs as part of a Polynesian dance during the presentation #Moana2 in #cinemacon pic.twitter.com/s8EHi7lieR
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 11, 2024
Rock said,
For me, it’s much deeper than the movie, and I know it’s much deeper for Disney as well.
The first installment of the franchise was a box office success. The film, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, received two Oscar nominations. The film was a strong contender for Best Animated Feature, and was also nominated for Best Original Song for “How Far I’ll Go.”
Interestingly, another live-action movie with the same name is in the works at Disney. The film, starring Dwayne Johnson, has been postponed. The film was scheduled to be released on June 27, 2025, but was postponed to July 10, 2026.
