MOANA 2’s Filmmakers Talk Expanding the Magic and Adventure of the First Film

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As someone who has been enchanted by the magic of Disney animations since I was a child growing up in Hawaii, I am beyond excited for the release of Moana 2! The new characters, from Loto to Matangi and Nalo, seem captivating and well-crafted. However, it’s Maui who truly steals the show, just as he did in the first film. His complex relationship with humanity, particularly his best friend Moana, promises a compelling narrative that will push him to new emotional depths.

Approximately eight years ago, Walt Disney Animation Studios unveiled “Moana,” a tale about a courageous young Polynesian girl chosen by the ocean to undertake a perilous journey. Her mission was to return the missing heart to the goddess Te Fiti, thus restoring harmony in nature. During her adventure, she made friends with the vain yet endearing demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Since its release, “Moana” has become Disney+’s most-streamed animated film since the platform’s launch, and Disney initially announced plans for an animated series based on it. However, these plans were later revised to develop a theatrical sequel titled “Moana 2,” which is set to premiere in cinemas this fall.

In September, TopMob, along with others, were given a special tour behind the scenes at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, for an early glimpse at the eagerly awaited sequel to “Moana”, titled “Moana 2”. The first half hour of the film was shown, which jumps ahead three years after the original storyline. In this continuation, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) is now a big sister to a three-year-old named Simea, and receives a message from her ancestral guides. She assembles a new crew of wayfinders and reconnects with Maui. This time around, Moana must lift the curse on the concealed island of Motufetu, which once united the ocean’s people. The animation we saw for “Moana 2” was absolutely stunning, and based on the first thirty minutes, it seems that the film will preserve all the emotion and delight present in the original “Moana”.

Following the initial 30 minutes of the film, we engaged in a Q&A session with the directors of Moana 2, namely David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller (who also wrote for it), and Jared Bush, serving as writer and executive producer. The team provided us with several images and sketches from the upcoming Moana 2. This was Dana Ledoux Miller’s debut in animated filmmaking, and when asked about joining the Moana universe, she reminisced about watching the original release. “I vividly remember being in the theater as the lights dimmed, and over the introductory music, the first voices heard were Samoan. In that moment, I realized that a Disney production, which later became one of Disney’s most successful franchises ever, would forever alter how people perceived Pacific Islanders.

Miller went on to explain, “I realized it would impact how I could narrate tales, but I hadn’t foreseen myself contributing to the narrative of Moana. Later, I had the good fortune to collaborate with Jared Bush in writing the live-action version of Moana as a co-writer. It was an exceptional team effort. Then he asked, ‘By the way, we have something going on at Disney Animation. Would you like to join us?’ So, I was brought on board as a consulting writer.

Initially, Moana’s tale was intended to unfold in a Disney+ animated series. However, the plans evolved, and instead of being spread across multiple episodes, the stories were combined into a single feature film known as Moana 2. But why did the story change when the format changed? Director David G. Derrick explained, “We, Jason, and I, both come from feature animation. We approached it in the same way for the series. Every artist who worked on it would say the same thing – this belongs on the big screen. The story will guide us. And ultimately, by listening to the story, taking into account the suggestions of all the artists and creators involved, we realized that it was meant for the big screen, and that’s what we wanted.

In a span of three years, the much-anticipated sequel to the original “Moana” film arrives. As writer Dana Ledoux Miller explains, their intention was not to alter Moana significantly but rather broaden her horizons. They aimed to let Moana remain true to herself while exploring new aspects of her world. The story is centered around Moana’s continued learning and personal growth. As she matures, the film conveys the message that one never stops defining oneself, a concept that resonates deeply with the characters and creators alike. Moana embarks on this journey, learns valuable lessons, and looks forward to the future, understanding that self-discovery is an ongoing process, just as it is for each of us.

As a fan, I’ve always appreciated how integral music was to the original Moana’s success. So, when it came to Moana 2, I couldn’t help but wonder about the collaboration between the filmmakers and the music team. According to Dave Derrick, “Music is a significant aspect of storytelling, and each crucial moment is expressed melodically, through song. We express Moana’s emotional journey through the movie’s music. During our sessions with Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow, they joined us in our story room where we had a piano. They would play the opening song for us, the first tune they composed for the film. Hearing that song, being whisked back into the world of Moana through music, was absolutely thrilling.

In the sequel to Moana, while nearly all the initial cast members return, Disney has introduced a multitude of fresh characters. Notably, some of these newcomers are admirers of Moana, dubbed “Moanabes,” who resemble Swifties in the Moana universe. However, the most significant additions are Moana’s new Wayfinding team, consisting of the youthful and optimistic Loto, an old islander with a grumpy demeanor named Kele, and Moni, a young woman who joins them on their adventure. As stated by co-director Jason Hand, “I adore all the new characters – from the crew, Sumia, the enigmatic Matangi, and ultimately, the God of Storms, Nalo.” These new Moana 2 characters each leave a lasting impression without overpowering the original ones in any way.

Discussing the recurring characters from the original movie, it’s clear that the creators have plans for Maui in Moana 2. Given Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s captivating performance as the demigod in the first film, audiences can expect another spectacular show from him in the sequel.

Dana Ledoux Miller said of Maui in Moana‘s sequel, “I am really excited about the relationship between Moana and Maui. They were a lot of fun in that first film and a lot of fun in this film. We don’t want to see them getting along all the time. Who cares about that?  In the original, they really developed a friendship that was meaningful.  It changed both of them, pushing them to new places. We have this demigod who is strong, he’s been through so much and has a very complicated relationship with humanity. But now his best friend is a human. And so it creates vulnerability in a way that we’ve never seen for him and pushes him to new places.”

The filmmakers placed great emphasis on maintaining cultural accuracy in the production of Moana 2. As Dave Derrick explained, “We conduct extensive research. Each detail you see on screen is carefully designed and researched. Our collaborators, who have Pacific Islander heritage or are part of an oceanic cultural trust, play a crucial role in this process. For me, as someone not from that culture, the kindness shown to me in sharing knowledge from the Polynesian Voyaging Society with all our consultants, many of whom come from different places like Tahiti, has been truly remarkable.

In the sequel of “Moana”, set three years forward, there were subtle changes in appearance. Derrick commented, “Moana has matured a bit and her hairstyle is altered slightly, but we ensured she remained the same Moana we adore. My favorite character that underwent an age change was Pua (the pet pig). If you look carefully, Pua is larger and stockier with a small baby tusk that occasionally protrudes. Heihei, the beloved rooster character from the first movie, remains as dim-witted as ever according to Dana Ledoux Miller, who joked, ‘He’s as dumb as he’s always been. Why change something that works?’ We couldn’t agree more.

Moana 2 hits theaters on November 27.

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2024-10-28 19:03