Two months after Disney CEO Bob Iger‘s surprise announcement that Moana 2 was in the works at the studio and scheduled to hit theaters on Nov. 27, the animated sequel took center stage at CinemaCon.
Disney debuted an exclusive sneak peek of footage of the David Derrick Jr.-directed film in front of theater owners with the help of its superstar voice talent, Dwayne Johnson. He arrived to the stage after a mini-performance from Polynesian dancers. Johnson is back for the new installment alongside actors from the original including Auli’i Cravalho and others.
“As we say on the island, aloha,” Johnson said, dressed for the occasion in trousers and a white tank top. “Playing the character of Maui is one of the most life-changing life experiences for me and life changing roles.”
He added that the character is deeper than just a gig because it represents his culture, so much so that it’s on his chest with his tattoos, and it’s also special to his grandfather. “It’s so much deeper than a movie to me and I know it’s deeper for Disney, too.”
Per Disney, the story picks up after Moana receives an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, so she sets off on a journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she has ever faced. The footage featured new music and stunning visuals in the same vein as the original. Johnson promised “an all new crew, all new setting and, of course, new songs — you’re welcome,” he said, telling theater owners its going to be the perfect escape this winter.
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