Moana 2 cinema 2 talks about representativeness: ‘I cried to see my culture in Disney’dana Ledoux Miller explains how the film went from a series to one of Disney’s greatest hits and reveals details of live-action writing

Moana 2expected continuation of the 2016 animation, is now available in the Disney+. The sequence, directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux MillerInitially it was planned as a streaming series, but the popularity of the first movie caused Disney to re-raise the strategy, turning the project into a feature film that raised more than $ 1 billion at the world’s tickets.

In an interview with Variety, Dana Ledoux Miller revealed the challenges of this adaptation.

“We need to adjust a lot,” he explained. “In standard format, we spent a lot of time with the crew of Moana’s ship, but in the movie, it was essential that the story focused on it. We needed to make sure the secondary characters would help show their growth as a leader. ”

The new film takes place three years after the events of Moana: A sea of ​​adventures. Now the young woman gets a call from her ancestors to leave in a new mission and reconnect her people. Throughout the journey, she receives the help of the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), which returns to the adventure.

Second MillerMoana’s arc in Moana 2 It is essential to show how the character has matured since the first animation.

“She has become a leader, but she’s still learning what that means. We see Moana facing more complex challenges and assuming greater responsibilities. It is a story about growth and identity. ”

The director, who has Samoana ancestry, also shared the thrill of seeing a polynesian protagonist being represented in the cinema.

“I cried,” she remembers. “I had never entered a cinema and heard the voices of my people before. And having one of them like a Disney princess changes everything. He says, ‘It’s okay to be Polynesia and be strong, adventurous and funny.’ You see yourself reflected on the screen and this is powerful. ”

Moana’s live-action and the future of the franchise

In addition to Moana 2Disney has already confirmed the production of a live-action, scheduled to premiere in July 2026. The film will be directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton) and will have Dwayne Johnson repressing his role as Maui, while the young woman Catherine Laga’aia will interpret Moana.

“She’s amazing,” Miller said about the actress. “It was not intimidated by acting with Dwayne Johnson.”

The director explained that live-action will bring a new emotional impact on the story:

“Seeing a 16 -year -old facing the open ocean and facing dangerous challenges in the real world will make everything more visceral. This human vulnerability will make the story look new, even for those who already know the animation. ”

+++ Read more: Moana’s live-action cast: See actors and their characters