Disney calms fans' nerves with THIS casting announcement

Virgin Radio

28 Feb 2024, 11:34

Disney logo and a cinema screen

Credit: Getty

Disney has calmed worried fans’ nerves with their latest sequel casting announcement.

Sharing an update on the recently announced Moana 2, the studio revealed on 27th February 2024 that actress Auli’i Cravalho would be returning to play the titular role she first voiced in 2016.

Moana 2’s announcement earlier this month shocked fans who had not been expecting to hear news about a sequel to the much-loved Disney musical.

Auli'i Cravalho and Disney's Moana

Credit: Rex/Disney

Its nearby release date of 27th November 2024 also led many to be concerned about the film, as until this week, no lead cast members were confirmed to be involved with the project despite the fact it is planned to open this Thanksgiving weekend.

News of Cravalho’s welcome star casting came through social media, as the star posted a clip of her jumping around excitedly outside the Disney Animation building to Beyoncé’s latest hit song, ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’.

The star captioned her post: “We’re sailing WAY beyond the reef this November…” plus wrote on her reel “The feeling when you’re officially returning to Motunui”, confirming for anyone still not convinced that she would be returning to the role of Moana.

Moana 2’s sudden announcement comes from the fact it was originally planned as a Disney+ series, and not a standalone film. That series is now being retrofitted to make the movie which Cravalho will lead.

Whether her former Moana co-star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will be returning to voice Maui remains to be seen - although he is confirmed for the live-action Moana remake which Disney have planned for the more distant future. Johnson will also produce that film.

Alongside their Moana 2 announcement, Disney also revealed more information about their upcoming Frozen 3 and Toy Story 5 sequels.

Moana 2 will be released in cinemas on 27th November 2024.

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