Dwayne Johnson, Auli’i Cravalho “In Talks” for ‘Moana 2’

With Wednesday’s reveal of the first-look and theatrical debut date for Disney’s Moana 2 (November 27), CEO Bob Iger refrained from confirming whether the stars of the hit 2016 animated feature will be returning to their voice roles. However, Deadline reports that both Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho are in talks for the sequel.

Discussions with Johnson, who plays the demigod Maui in the original Pacific ocean adventure, are apparently “looking good.” The former pro wrestler turned blockbuster-maker was producing the previously announced live-action adaptation of Moana through his Seven Bucks banner. However, that project has been dropped from its June 27, 2025 release date and apparently is not even in production. Disney and Seven Bucks did not offer additional comment.

 

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Cravalho, who voiced the sea-faring Disney Princess, is also reportedly in talks, though the news outlet says they are not as far along as Johnson’s. The Hawai’i-born actress, now 23, had previously stated she would not play Moana in the live-action version, writing, “I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honor our incredible Pacific people’s cultures and communities that help inspire her story.”

Iger noted that the idea to release an animated sequel was spurred by the work being done on the planned Moana Disney+ series. Moana 2 is directed by Dave Derrick Jr. (storyboard artist on Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, Encanto; head of story on Strange World) with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.

[Source: Deadline]