How Moana 2 Went from a Disney+ Series to Movie

The filmmakers behind Moana 2 They explained the impact of remaking a TV show on Disney+ and turning it into a feature film sequel. On February 7, 2024, Disney shocked everyone by announcing that Moana 2, Especially when they revealed that it would be hitting theaters on Thanksgiving weekend this year. Disney pulled off this amazing reveal as it was later reported that Moana 2 Reworked from plan Moana The Disney+ series was first announced at Disney's Investor Day in December 2020.

In a new profile in Entertainment WeeklyThe filmmakers discussed the decision-making process. Moana Broadcast series and convert it to Moana 2Disney Animation President Jennifer Lee said of the move to theatrical release:

“It just got bigger and bigger and more awesome, and we really wanted to see it on the big screen. It just evolved creatively, and it felt like it was something organic… Supporting theaters is something we talked about. We love Disney+, but it’s going to go there eventually. You can really put it anywhere, but these artists are creating stories that they want to see on the big screen and we want the world to see them on the big screen.”

One can easily see the decision to switch. MoanaLee decided to turn the Spider-Man TV series into a feature film as a satirical commercial film, but Lee stressed that the decision was not commercial, but rather about the best way to tell the story. She said:

“Our philosophy is that the idea has to come from the filmmakers. You can’t invent a story that’s not intended. You have to come from the heart. If we do it the other way, we can’t build a real story. For us, the story is always character first.”

Turning a TV show into a movie is nothing new for Disney.

In recent years, Disney Animation has become more comfortable with sequels; prior to 2010, the only film it produced for theatrical release was Rescuers in AustraliaHowever, Walt Disney Animation Company has now produced more films, including: Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen Part 2coming Zootopia 2and two others Frozen Sequels are already in development. Disney has also been known to turn abandoned animated series into direct-to-video movies, such as the 1998 film Belle's Magical World2002 Cinderella Part 2: Dreams Come Trueand 2003 Atlantis: Milo's Return.

While some thought this was exactly what happened with Moana 2, it has become clear that it wasn’t just a matter of taking a few episodes of the series and merging them into one release. Much of the original dialogue was changed, new songs were dropped, and everything was completely overhauled. Director David Derrick Jr. explained:

“In the series, there was more room to play with some of the group members. [The shift was about] “We’ve streamlined all the things we love most about Moana as a heroine and as an adventurer. We have it all now and it’s even more vivid, especially with the scale that we’re living on the big screen. Every element of the adventure that we were already building in the series is now 10 times bigger and 10 times more exciting.”

Moana 2 The film introduces a new cast of characters, including Moana’s younger sister, Simia (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), and three crew members who join her and Maui on their journey: Mooney (Hualai Chung), Kili (David Finn), and Lotto (Rose Matafeo). While these characters would have had their own subplots in the TV series, they have now been pared down, but the film’s co-director, Dana Ledoux Miller, said that because they spent so much time developing the characters, they have become richer and more polished to their most recognizable elements. She said:

“the [new characters] “We can’t pinpoint their specific aspects, but we were able to identify who they are and distill them down to how they serve the story… We were able to show all of their favorite parts. From one character’s mood swings to another’s quirks, we had a lot of fun spending time with them. That’s what makes them all so special – when we see them, they really shine.”

Moana 2 There are plenty of skeptics, as the idea of ​​remaking a Disney animated series into a feature film doesn’t have the best reputation. However, it seems like the filmmakers have put in the necessary effort. Such as Inside Out 2 Earlier this summer, Moana 2 The new film has the opportunity to surprise the world and deliver a sequel as great as the original while demonstrating the box office potential that newer Disney titles have to become mega-franchises.