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Credit: DisneyFans are undoubtedly on pins and needles as Walt Disney Animation Studio recently dropped the teaser trailer for Moana 2 (2024). While it’s certainly something to be excited about, the new movie might not have the same amount of classic Disney magic as its Polynesian predecessor.
It’s certainly logical that Disney would want to revisit something they know is a win, but Moana’s success was due to an extensive collective of elements working in harmony to make it a memorable Disney feature. Not only was it brought to life through gorgeous animation by a team of talented animators, but its composition and direction were also led by some of the best in the business—and its timing of release was spot-on.
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John Musker and Ron Clements are two of the finest animators on Disney’s payroll, and their contributions to Moana (2016) were everything that could be expected from the minds behind The Great Mouse Detective (1989), Aladdin (1992), Hercules (1997), and Treasure Planet (2002). However, can the animated sequel exist without them?
Does Moana 2 Already Miss the Boat?
A new adventure with Moana, the demigod Maui, and the people of Montunui is flooding theaters this November, but it might not be what some fans expect. Considering neither the original film’s directors nor the legendary Lin-Manuel Miranda is returning to the upcoming sequel, the film sets out on some choppy waters before the voyage truly starts.
Musker and Clements were undeniably instrumental in Moana’s success, and their absence from the sequel will be keenly felt by hardcore Disney fans, especially since Ron Clements retired in 2023.
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Moana 2 features Dave Derrick Jr. in the director’s chair, replacing the iconic Disney duo. A report from People shares,
“The new movie will be helmed by Dave Derrick Jr., who has a long history with Disney, previously working as a storyboard artist for the live-action Lion King, Encanto, and Raya and the Last Dragon. Additionally, he was a story artist for the original Moana.”
Although Derrick has cut his teeth on some memorable Disney films, his pedigree hardly stands up against the previously-mentioned pair. That said, many of the directors at Disney Animation also started out in similar positions, and this could be his time to shine.
Even so, Musker and Clements helped shape so many of Disney’s best movies, Moana included. Trying to pick up where they left off is a gargantuan task for anyone left to follow in their footsteps.
Timing Is Everything
The original Moana debuted in 2016, as debates around identity and racial tension in the U.S. gained momentum during and following the 2016 election. Disney released Moana, in November of that year, just weeks after President Donald Trump—arguably the most polarizing president in U.S. history—was elected into office.
The plot of Moana, which is inspired by Polynesian mythology, highlights a theme of identity. As Moana, a daughter of the chief of her tribe and a princess of color in a long line of mostly white Disney princesses, sets off on a journey across the ocean in search of the demigod Maui, she finds something very important: herself. After its release, fans and critics discussed the cultural significance of Moana and its roots in Tongan and Polynesian culture.
While we don’t yet have a release date for Moana 2, is it a coincidence that Disney announced the film during yet another election year when, once again, Trump is in the race along with discussion around his comments on racial issues?
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Not much is known about Moana 2 at this time, but its journey is already taking some interesting creative turns. It might be a return to form for Disney, but some essentials are definitely missing.
Do you think Moana 2 will sink or swim? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!