'Moana 2' trailer: Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson set sail in Disney sequel
What can they say except you're welcome?
Disney debuted the first trailer for "Moana 2," the highly anticipated sequel to the 2016 animated hit on Wednesday. Auli'i Cravalho returns as the voice of Moana, while Dwayne Johnson is again voicing Maui.
The teaser is light on plot but shows Moana setting off for another adventure at sea after discovering a call from her ancestors to "sail to new skies and reconnect our people across the entire ocean." The new footage shows off the sequel's gorgeous water animation, including with a stunning shot of Moana floating in front of a whale shark.
Moana's rooster Heihei and pig Pua are both back in the trailer. But this time, Pua seems to be joining Moana on the journey after fans questioned the decision to have the pet stay behind in the original film despite appearing prominently on the poster. At the end of the teaser, Johnson's Maui triumphantly arrives on Moana's boat — and, in a meta reference to the plot of the first movie, asks, "Why didn't you bring the pig last time?"
Watch 'Moana 2' trailer
Disney confirmed in February that a "Moana" sequel was in the works and set for release later this year, which came as a surprise considering animated sequels are typically announced years in advance. It was originally set to be a Disney+ original streaming series before being reworked into a feature film instead.
"We were impressed with what we saw, and we knew it deserved a theatrical release," Disney CEO Bob Iger said during a February earnings call.
In the original film, Moana leaves her home, the island of Motunui, to adventure across the sea with help from Maui, a shape-shifting demigod. The movie was a hit for Disney in 2016, grossing $687 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Per Nielsen, it was also the most-viewed film on any streaming service in 2023, surpassing new releases like "The Super Mario Bros Movie."
For Disney, much is riding on the success of "Moana 2" after several of the company's recent animated films, including "Wish," "Strange World" and "Lightyear," flopped in theaters.
See the official poster for 'Moana 2'
Before the trailer's release, Disney debuted the first official poster for "Moana 2," which shows Maui's fish hook on the beach with Moana in the background.
'Moana 2' plot: What is the sequel about?
In "Moana 2," Moana receives an "unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors" and must "journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced," Disney previously shared.
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The studio also described the film as an "expansive new voyage" that will feature Moana, Maui and a "brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers." It takes place three years after the previous film, Disney says.
Dave Derrick Jr. directs the sequel, taking over for John Musker and Ron Clements.
When will 'Moana 2' be released?
"Moana 2" is set to hit theaters on November 27, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The original "Moana" was also released on Thanksgiving weekend.
Notably, the film shares a release date with "Wicked," setting up a box office face-off between two highly anticipated musicals aimed at families.
Will there still be a live-action 'Moana'?
"Moana 2" isn't to be confused with a separate live-action remake of "Moana," which is also on the way.
The live-action "Moana" was announced in 2023, before it was known that the animated film would receive a sequel. Johnson is returning as Maui in the live-action rendition, although Cravalho will not be playing the title character. No casting for Moana in the remake has been announced.
Dwayne Johnson reveals 'Moana' live-action remake: 'This story is my culture'
"I'm deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen," Johnson said last year. "This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength."
On May 25, Johnson shared a video of himself recording the song "You're Welcome" for the "Moana" remake and revealed that production will begin in the fall. The film is scheduled for release in July 2026.
What other Disney animated sequels are in the works?
Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger told investors that the studio is leaning more into sequels going forward.
In addition to "Moana 2," other Disney animated sequels on the way include "Inside Out 2," "Zootopia 2," "Toy Story 5" and "Frozen III."
"Inside Out 2" hits theaters on June 14, while "Zootopia 2" is scheduled for 2025, and "Toy Story 5" and "Frozen III" will both hit theaters in 2026.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Moana 2' trailer: Watch Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson in the sequel
