It's Official! Disney Confirms 'Moana 3' in the Works!

The beloved Disney animated franchise "Moana" is set for a significant expansion, with the upcoming release of a live-action film adaptation and the confirmation of a third animated installment, "Moana 3." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who voices the demigod Maui in the animated series, officially teased the development of "Moana 3" while promoting the live-action movie in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He confirmed that screenwriters Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have been integral to the franchise, will pen the script for the third animated film. Johnson emphasized that the live-action movie would precede "Moana 3."

The animated "Moana" series has achieved immense success since its debut. The original 2016 film generated a sizable $680 million globally and gained even greater popularity on Disney+, becoming one of its most-watched streaming titles. "Moana 2," which initially began as a Disney+ streaming project, was redeveloped into a feature film. Its theatrical release around Thanksgiving 2024 proved to be a strategic triumph for Disney, opening with a record-setting $225 million and ultimately grossing over $1.059 billion worldwide. This stellar performance underscored the franchise's strong appeal and justified Disney's continued investment in the property.

Following the success of its animated predecessors, the live-action "Moana" movie is highly anticipated and is set to debut in theaters on July 10. This remake of the original story stars Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as the titular Polynesian heroine. Directed by Thomas Kail, in his feature debut, the film was also written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. The cast further includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, and Jermaine Clement as Tamatoa. While the film will first be exclusively available in theaters, it is expected to begin streaming on Disney+ later in the year, likely after at least two months of its theatrical run.

Plot details for the animated "Moana 3" remain undisclosed, but Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho are expected to reprise their voice roles as Maui and Moana, respectively. The original story introduced audiences to the strong-willed daughter of a village chief, chosen by the ocean to restore prosperity to her island. "Moana 2" saw the plucky wayfinder journeying into the deep sea to find a hidden island and break a curse. It is currently unclear who will compose the music for the third installment, as Lin-Manuel Miranda, who penned iconic songs like "How Far I’ll Go" and "You’re Welcome" for the first film, did not return for the second, with songwriting duties passed to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear.

Disney's continued commitment to the "Moana" universe, through both live-action adaptations and new animated chapters, highlights the enduring global appeal of its characters and narratives. The franchise demonstrates a powerful track record of captivating audiences worldwide, ensuring that the adventures of Moana and Maui will continue to inspire for years to come.