Auli’i Cravalho on Polynesian Pride for ‘Moana 2’ at UK Premiere

She continued by discussing what she loved about filming Moana 2: “Where do I start? I love that Moana is having such an impact, not only on my Pacific Islander community, but even beyond. Seeing a young Wayfinder on screen using traditional techniques is a source of Polynesian pride, a piece of indigenous knowledge that comes directly from us… Even seeing folklore and myths about how Maui pulled islands out of the sea – those are myths and mythologies that I grew up with.”

“And the fact that Disney made it a musical, meaning we spontaneously burst into song, makes my inner theater kid very happy.”

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel sets out on an adventure to reunite the people of the ocean after they receive a call from Moana’s ancestors. Together with her new team, voiced by Rose Matafeo, Hualalai Chung and David Fane, the princess soon realizes that the task on behalf of her community’s future may require sacrifice.

“We didn’t want to repeat the first film,” Hand said THR. “We wanted to follow Moana From that point on, if we didn’t think it was worthy, we wouldn’t have told the story.”

According to tracking data shared with, we’re sailing toward a record-breaking $125 million to $135 million opening in the five-day Thanksgiving corridor THRDerrick Jr. spoke about what brings audiences back to the oceanic adventure: “Moana is the best of us. She never gives up. She does everything for her community. She is not afraid to confront the demigod or god. But she’s also silly and goofy and very approachable. Similar to Auli’i – she really embodies it.”

Examined for the possibility of a Moana 3the men were shy. “We worked on the first film. We worked on the second film. “We’re connected, but who knows?” Derrick Jr. said.

Also present at the event were composers Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who discussed what the melody and lyrics of this musical are really about. Bear explained: “This is the first time we have allowed a (Disney) heroine to age. She’s inspiring and brave and big and all the things we love, but she has some deeply human moments in this film… The kids who watch these movies grow up and inevitably screw up to see how someone they look up to to learn from these moments instead of letting them get them down is really (important).