Auli’i Cravalho (Polynesian princess Moana) and Dwayne Johnson (tattooed demigod Maui) are expected to reprise their voice roles in “Moana 2.” The sequel is a musical directed by Dave Derrick Jr., whose credits include “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Encanto.” The story of “Moana 2” involves an unexpected call from Moana’s ancestors, prompting her to travel “to the distant seas of Oceania and to long-lost, dangerous waters.”
Disney struggled at the box office last year. The animated films “Wish,” the superhero sequel “The Marvels” and the expensive “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” all failed at the box office, raising concerns about the vitality of Disney’s various studios. Pixar’s “Elemental” had a disastrous start but eventually managed to gross a respectable $496 million worldwide.
The overall poor performance, in stark contrast to previous years when Disney released one billion-dollar movie after another, has contributed to attacks on the company by activist investors. Trian Fund Management, for example, is in a proxy fight for several board seats. Disney is trying to combat such attempts.
“Moana 2,” originally planned as a Disney+ animated series, joins this year’s theatrical lineup that Walt Disney Studios believes will mark a dramatic shift. Other planned releases include “Planet of the Apes,” “Deadpool 3,” “Inside Out 2” and “Mufasa,” a prequel to “The Lion King.”
2024-02-08 02:22:20
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