How Moana 2 going from a series to a movie changed its storyline

As a long-time Disney enthusiast with memories of watching animated classics like Snow White and Cinderella as a child, I must say I was initially taken aback when I heard about Moana 2 being fast-tracked for the big screen. In my experience, animation projects are usually labor-intensive endeavors that require years to complete, not quick turnarounds like this.

Wondering how Moana 2 was hastily assembled? Discover the fascinating journey of its transformation from a television series into a blockbuster sequel, and learn about the modifications made to its narrative!

Sequels following Disney animated films are not a recent development. In the 90s and 2000s, the company embraced direct-to-video sequels, with mixed success. Now, they seem to favor big-screen sequels, such as Frozen 2 and Inside Out 2, with even more in the pipeline.

Typically, creating an animated film requires several years of hard work and meticulous attention to detail. This is why many people have negative opinions about direct-to-video sequels; they often lacked the time for animators to give them careful treatment, making them appear less polished compared to their big screen counterparts.

It didn’t come as a shock when Disney revealed earlier this year that Moana 2 was heading to cinemas, given the initial film’s release in 2016 was incredibly successful in terms of both its narrative and soundtrack, making another installment an anticipated move.

The surprise was that the film was announced as coming to theaters in Thanksgiving 2024. In an industry where an animated film going from start to finish in two or three years is the standard, this hitting so soon with almost no word it was even in development was completely unexpected. 

As a passionate fan, I was thrilled to discover in Entertainment Weekly’s latest digital feature that the creators of Moana 2 initially planned for the tale to unfold as a Disney+ animated series. However, as the story and its grandeur expanded under the visionary leadership of Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer, Jennifer Lee, it became evident that this epic journey was destined for the big screen instead.

We constantly screen [our projects], even in drawing [phase] with sketches. It was getting bigger and bigger and more epic, and we really wanted to see it on the big screen. It creatively evolved, and it felt like an organic thing. Supporting the theaters is something that we talked about. We love Disney+, but it will go there eventually. You could really put it anywhere, but these artists create stories that they want to see on the big screen and that we want the world to see on the big screen.

Despite the apparent temptation of a sequel due to its box office prospects, Lee emphasized that the decision was driven primarily by the narrative and the characters themselves. He argued that the film would be optimally enjoyed in a theater setting rather than streaming on Disney+.

It also meant improving the story a lot and shifting the plans for other characters.

How Moana 2 going to theaters changed the story

It’s clear that transforming a scheduled TV show into a movie necessitated significant changes, which co-directors Jason Hand, David Derrick Jr., and Dana Ledoux Miller agreed upon. Initially, Moana was intended to have companions helping her, and transitioning it to a movie also morphed the concept of it being a collective story, as Miller explained.

It was a matter of finding a way to truly make it Moana’s story. In the series, there was a lot more room to play with some of the ensemble. [The shift was about] streamlining into all the things that we love most about Moana as our hero and our adventurer. We have all of that now and it pops so much more, especially with the scale that we get to live in on the big screen. Every element of the adventure that we were already building in the series is now 10 times bigger, 10 times more exciting.

As a fan, I’m excited about the new characters joining the cast: Moni (Hualālai Chung), Kele (David Fane), and Loto (Rose Matafeo). The creators, Derrick and Miller, are assuring us that each character will shine just as brightly on the big screen, even though the TV series was designed to give them individual spotlights.

We get to crank up all our favorite parts of them. From all of the grumpiness of one character to the eccentricities of another character, we have the most fun in the time that we have. That’s what really makes them all pop — when we see them, they really shine.

In this captivating tale, I find myself rooting for Moana as she embarks on a mission following Maui’s predicament with a formidable dark force. The directors hint that the characters have reached an even playing field, and a significant part of Maui’s journey revolves around his reluctance to accept aid. Lee tantalizingly suggests that when these two unite, there’s no limit to what they can achieve; the world becomes their playground!

The songwriters, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, were pleasantly taken aback by the alteration made to the movie. Initially hired as replacements for Lin-Manuel Miranda, they relished creating numerous new tunes. “We revitalized Moana once more,” Bear expresses. “She took center stage, and this transformation was reflected in our music.

Barlow noted that Moana had not only developed as a person, but also as a leader. He explained that this growth was mirrored in the songs she sang.

It’s intriguing to note that Disney placed so much confidence in the development of Moana 2, turning it from a television series into a potential blockbuster film, allowing the main character’s captivating storyline to continue.

Moana 2 premieres in theaters November 27.

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2024-09-14 16:27