Disney Announces Third Animated Moana Film in Development

A third animated "Moana" film is officially in development at Walt Disney Animation Studios, actor Dwayne Johnson confirmed at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The announcement comes just days before the July 10 theatrical release of a live-action remake of the original film.

Johnson, who voices the demigod Maui in the animated franchise and portrays the character in the upcoming live-action film, stated that discussions for "Moana 3" are underway. He emphasized that the immediate focus remains on the live-action adaptation. Johnson confirmed that writers Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have worked on previous "Moana" projects, will pen the screenplay for the third animated installment.

The "Moana" franchise has proven to be a major box office success for Disney. The original 2016 film grossed over $687 million worldwide. Its sequel, "Moana 2," which was released in November 2024 after being reworked from a planned streaming series, earned approximately $1.059 billion globally, setting a record for the highest five-day opening for an animated film.

While no plot details or release date for "Moana 3" have been announced, Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho are expected...