As ‘Moana 2’ Prepares to Sail Into Theaters, the Film’s Directors Look Back at Moana’s Journey
The next chapter in the story of Moana will debut tomorrow when Moana 2 sails into theaters.
The highly anticipated sequel to 2016’s Moana is set three years after the events of the first film and finds the Wayfinder setting out on her biggest adventure yet. Reuniting with Maui and forming a new crew, Moana must sail into uncharted waters to reconnect the people of Oceania.
David Derrick Jr. (left), Dana Ledoux Miller (center), and Jason Hand (right). Photo: Disney
With just one day until Moana 2 finally arrives, Disney sat down with the film’s directors, David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller to discuss the upcoming adventure and get a glimpse behind the scenes of the film’s making.
Building on ‘Moana’s’ Legacy
One of the toughest tasks for the Moana 2 directors was living up to the first film’s legacy. To that end, Miller says, the team wanted to push Moana further than ever before.
Photo: Disney
“We worked really hard to make sure she has an adventure that lives up to her growth and really pushes her beyond anything she’s ever done before,” she explained.
“‘Moana 2’ puts Moana in an incredibly difficult situation, and we as the audience get to enjoy watching her figure her way out of it. It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s a musical — which is a huge part of Disney Animation’s legacy — and it’s really stunning to look at,” Hand added.
Photo: Disney
Derrick has been a part of the Moana team since the beginning, initially joining Walt Disney Animation to work on the first film. Because of his Samoan ancestry, the director has a personal connection to Moana’s quest to better understand her heritage.
Remembering the Fans
In the years since Moana first hit theaters, the titular heroine and the film’s cast of eclectic characters have only grown in popularity. In fact, last year, Moana was the most-watched film on streaming.
As Moana’s story has inspired millions of fans around the world, the directorial team has stayed focused on the impact that their film will have.
Photo: Disney
“My son, who’s 7 years old, says, ‘I want to be strong like Moana,” Derrick says, “People look to Moana and want to be like her. She’s like the best of us.”
Working on this film is honestly a dream come true,” Hand says. “I’ve wanted to work at Disney Animation since I was a little kid, and I love the films we make here. I loved working on the first film with Ron Clements and John Musker, and to continue Moana’s story is extremely special to me. ‘Moana’ is the film my family and I rewatch more than any other film I’ve worked on. I hope everybody loves ‘Moana 2’ as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Photo: Disney
Moana 2 will hit theaters on November 27.
