Disney Reportedly Developing Sequel to Its Most Successful Film of the Year

Highlights from Moana’s Expanding Universe

The success of Moana 2 has sparked discussions for a third installment, potentially featuring Moana and Maui facing off against iconic foes.
Moana 2 sets new box office records, proving to be a lucrative venture for Disney.
Hints of Moana 3 are present in a post-credits scene from Moana 2, suggesting rich story possibilities ahead.

This year has been monumental for Disney, with films like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine each surpassing the billion-dollar mark. Anticipation builds around the studio’s upcoming release, Moana 2, whose remarkable box office performance has ignited conversations about a sequel.

Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 transitioned to a theatrical release this year, eight years after the original film took the world by storm. The sequel reunites much of the beloved cast, including Auli’i Cravalho as Moana, Dwayne Johnson as Maui, Temuera Morrison as Tui, and Rachel House as Tala. This new adventure sees Moana embark on a quest across Oceania, responding to a call from her ancestral voyagers. Released on November 27, the film quickly shattered previous box office records.

Developments Indicating Moana 3 Is on the Horizon

The excitement surrounding Moana 2 has naturally led to speculation about a third film. Industry insider Daniel Richtman suggests that Moana 3 is already in development at Disney, although the studio has yet to make an official announcement. An announcement may be expected during a major showcase in 2024. If confirmed, Moana 3 will be only the second original Disney animated film series to reach a third entry, alongside the Frozen franchise, with its third film set for release in 2027.

The cinematic universe of Moana is further teased through a post-credits scene in Moana 2. Here, viewers catch a glimpse of Nalo, the god of storms, plotting revenge against Moana and Maui for their defiance. Moreover, Nalo captures Matangi and seeks to exact punishment on her for aiding Moana’s side. Adding to the tension, Tamatoa, the menacing crab from the original movie, teams up with Nalo, indicating an exciting conflict ahead for Moana and Maui as they confront their longstanding adversaries.

Box Office Triumph Sets the Stage for Moana 3

The overwhelming success of Moana 2 reinforces Disney’s confidence in pursuing a sequel. Within its first six days, the film amassed an astonishing $404.5 million, according to Deadline, solidifying its status as the ninth highest-grossing film of the year. Additionally, it achieved record-breaking Thanksgiving returns with a $225 million domestic opening, surpassing previous champions like Frozen II and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. These figures are expected to eclipse the first Moana film’s worldwide gross of $687.2 million shortly.

Despite the potential wait for Moana 3, fans can look forward to seeing Moana in a different light as Disney gears up for a live-action adaptation of the original film. Dwayne Johnson is set to reprise his role as Maui, while Catherine Laga’aia will portray Moana, with the live-action film slated for release in 2026.

Moana 2 is currently screening in theaters around the globe.

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