Moana 2, a sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana, was met with lukewarm reception, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of 64%. Despite its box office success, critics felt it failed to live up to the standard set by the first movie. The sequel’s issues stem from its origins as a TV show, which resulted in a choppy storyline and underdeveloped characters.
The Moana franchise is set to continue with a live-action remake of the first movie, with the potential for a live-action sequel of Moana 2 in the future. If made, this remake would allow Disney to rectify the mistakes made in the original sequel, including its rushed story and underdeveloped characters. A longer runtime would give the story and characters room to breathe, and new songs could be added or crafted with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s potential return.
Moana 2’s live-action remake would be a rare instance where a Disney live-action remake improves upon its animated source material. Most Disney live-action remakes are deemed inferior to their animated counterparts, but Moana 2 has the potential to change that. By addressing the mistakes made in the original sequel, a live-action remake could offer a better version of Moana 2.