Disney’s beloved animated film “Moana” is set to make a surprising return to the big screen with a sequel, “Moana 2.” Originally planned as a television series for Disney+, the project has been reimagined as a feature film and is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 27. This unexpected move marks Disney’s renewed focus on the theatrical experience, signaling a shift away from the streaming-dominated landscape of the entertainment industry.
The decision to release “Moana 2” exclusively in theaters comes as a relief for cinema owners, who have been struggling due to the impact of the pandemic. Last summer’s strikes forced studios to postpone numerous blockbusters, resulting in a scarcity of new releases. By opting for a theatrical release, Disney aims to maximize revenue and profitability, recognizing that the traditional model of movie distribution still holds significant value.
Releasing a film in theaters first allows for greater awareness and generates buzz, which in turn drives revenue from secondary windows such as home entertainment, DVD sales, and eventual streaming debuts. Additionally, theatrical releases have the potential for a longer-lasting cultural impact compared to straight-to-streaming movies, which tend to quickly fade from public conversation. “Moana” itself serves as a prime example of enduring demand, having grossed over $680 million at the global box office and becoming the most-streamed movie of 2023 on Disney+.
Chris Randleman, chief revenue officer of Flix Brewhouse chain, emphasizes the proven track record of theaters in bringing awareness and money to films. The return to the traditional model is seen as a positive step by industry insiders who believe that studios should prioritize quality theatrical releases over streaming content.
Disney’s previous holiday releases have been met with mixed results. While films like “Frozen,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and “Coco” were pre-pandemic hits, recent releases such as “Wish” and “Strange World” failed to meet box office expectations. Analysts attribute this to the fact that several Pixar movies during the pandemic were released exclusively on Disney+, inadvertently training audiences to watch family-friendly films at home. With “Moana 2,” Disney aims to avoid any missteps and capitalize on the Thanksgiving holiday release, a strategy that has proven successful for the company in the past.
The release of “Moana 2” will coincide with Universal’s “Wicked,” another highly anticipated musical adaptation. Despite concerns about potential competition between the two films, cinema owners believe that they cater to different audiences and can coexist successfully. The success of counterprogramming, as demonstrated by last summer’s simultaneous viewings of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” further supports this notion.
Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed his confidence in “Moana 2,” stating that the decision to transform it into a feature film was made after executives were impressed by the early footage. However, Disney is aware that brand familiarity alone is not enough to guarantee success at the box office. The quality of the film plays a crucial role, as numerous sequels have flopped due to poor execution.
In addition to the sequel, Disney is also developing a live-action version of “Moana” with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. To avoid oversaturation, the release of the live-action adaptation will likely be delayed to create some distance between the two projects. While Auli’i Cravalho will not be returning for the remake, she and Johnson will reprise their voice roles in “Moana 2.” Notably, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the songs for the first film, will not be involved in the sequel. Instead, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, known for their work on “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,” will be writing new songs alongside Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, who worked on the original film.
The storyline of “Moana 2” will follow Moana as she embarks on a new adventure prompted by an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors. The film promises to take audiences to dangerous and long-lost waters, offering an adventure unlike anything Moana has faced before. Just as Moana faces an unpredictable and perilous environment in the film, the box office landscape presents its own set of challenges. However, with Disney’s strategic decision to prioritize theatrical releases once again, “Moana 2” has the potential to make a splash and captivate audiences worldwide.