Moana 2: A Riveting Sequel With Endless Adventure
Moana 2: A Fresh Sequel with Endless Possibilities Discover the captivating journey that awaits as Moana returns in an enchanting sequel, promising a compelling storyline and an immersive world Brace yourself for an extraordinary adventure that surpasses the need for a live-action remake
Highlights
Disney is currently in the process of developing live-action adaptations of its contemporary movies, with the popular 2016 film Moana being one of the projects on their list. However, some fans have raised concerns about the decision to pursue a live-action remake instead of a continuation through a proper sequel.
Moana's ending paves the way for an intriguing sequel, delving into the cultural transformations of Motunui as they embrace their seafaring heritage once again. A sequel holds immense potential in showcasing various challenges and delving into the captivating themes of Polynesian mythology.
Fans strongly believe that a direct sequel to Moana would be far more advantageous for the franchise compared to a live-action remake.
Disney is committed to remaking all of its animated features as live-action films. While it made sense to adapt the older movies from around the 1950s, starting in 2025, Disney plans to remake its more recent films. Recently, Dwayne Johnson revealed that he and Disney are collaborating on a live-action version of the beloved film, Moana. Released in 2016, Moana received high praise from fans and critics, yet Disney has not yet announced a sequel, which would be a more logical choice.
How did Moana End?
Director(s) | John Musker, Ron Clements |
|---|---|
Writer(s) | Screenplay by Jared Bush, Story by Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell |
Cast | Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk |
Release Date | November 23, 2016 |
Runtime | 107 Minutes |
Box Office | $682.6 Million |
Moana is a brave young girl from Motunui who embarked on a journey to find the demigod Maui. Prior to the events in the movie, Maui, known for his arrogance, stole the Heart of Te Fiti, a valuable pounamu stone with the power to create life and shape islands. This action disturbed the delicate harmony of nature and unleashed malevolent forces and corruption. Among these forces was Te Ka, a wrathful deity who fiercely guarded the island that once housed the Heart of Te Fiti. It was believed that only Maui, with his ability to transform and armed with a massive fish hook, could retrieve the heart. However, it turned out that there was more to the story.
After successfully persuading Maui to return the Heart, Moana confronted the fierce lava god Te Ka, risking the loss of Maui's fish hook in the process. Struggling to morph shape due to Te Ka's intense attack that damaged his hook, Maui decided to part ways with Moana, determined not to lose his precious tool again. Initially losing hope, Moana's spirit was uplifted by her grandmother's guidance, urging her to persist on her journey and confront Te Ka alone.
Upon breaching Te Ka's defenses, Moana made a startling realization that Te Fiti was not missing, but rather trapped in a state of furious anger, assuming the form of Te Ka. Instead of returning the Heart to Te Fiti, Moana discovered that it needed to be given to Te Ka herself. By doing so, she restored Te Fiti to her true nature and halted the spread of corruption across the ocean. In recognition of Maui's selfless act of assisting Moana, she rewarded him with a new hook, replacing the one that had shattered. Finally, Maui had performed an act for the benefit of others, rather than for his own personal gain.
Why Moana 2 Would Tell a Good Story
In the ending of Moana, the inhabitants of Motunui experienced a profound cultural transformation. Initially, they were a community of island dwellers who never ventured out to sea, preferring to remain in the shallow waters. However, led by their new Wayfinder and chief, Moana, they rediscovered their seafaring heritage. Exploring the challenges encountered by Moana and her people as they navigate the open seas would present numerous possibilities. Drawing inspiration from Polynesian mythology, the creators of Moana have left ample room for a sequel.
Undoubtedly, fans are eager to see more of Tomatoa. Who wouldn't relish witnessing another encounter between Moana and the singing coconut crab? Moreover, observing the people of Motonui adapt to their new lifestyle of island-hopping would make for an engrossing narrative. In the original film, Moana struggled to find her place among her community, and the sequel could further delve into her journey of adjusting to the role of a revered figure or explore the story of a completely different chief. Similar to its predecessor, a sequel has the potential to delve into profound and symbolic themes.
Moana 2 Makes More Sense Than a Live-Action Remake
Fans released a collective sigh of indifference when Johnson announced a live-action remake of Moana was underway.
Although this would be the first post-2000 Disney property to be remade, there seems to be no demand for it. A successful remake should enhance the original project and bring it up to date for the current generation, which Disney has already achieved with Moana. However, remaking something as recent as 2016 appears to be a desperate move. Even highly popular properties like Frozen have yet to receive the live-action treatment, with the franchise moving towards a trilogy.
Rather than a live-action adaptation, a direct sequel to the animated musical would be more beneficial for the property. It could delve deeper into the mythology and potentially tie into the Disney+ animated TV series currently in development. Dwayne Johnson has emphasized that the remake will feature the same characters, songs, and story. In that case, what is the purpose? It gives the impression that Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam did not perform as well as expected, leading him to persuade Disney executives to grant his most successful project a live-action treatment, perhaps as a way to cleanse his or his fans' interests.
