WithMoana 2still shredding the box office weeks after its release, speculation has already begun regarding what’s next for Moana and her demigod pal, Maui, voiced by megastar Dwayne Johnson.The Disney sequel has broken multiple box office recordsdespite middling reviews, and another chapter in theMoanasaga seems all but inevitable. Another movie seems even more certain given whereMoana 2’s post-credits sceneleft the overarching narrative, and naturally, that movie will continue to follow Moana’s journey with her newfound powers.
Moana 2actually started out as a Disney+ serieswhen it was first developed, but the decision was made to pivot to a feature-length sequel as late as February 2024. A Disney+ series could still be in the future given how muchMoana 2expanded the universe for the characters from Motonui and the monsters and deities of the sea. At this point, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Dwayne Johnson’s was the centerpiece of a spinoff show with how perfectlyMoana 2set Maui up for his own project.
Moana 2’s Demigod Twist Sets Up A Sad Reality For Moana
The shocking twist at the conclusion of Moana 2 set Moana on a completely different path, and will eventually yield a sad reality for her.
Moana 2 Sets Up The Main Franchise To Work Without Dwayne Johnson
Moana’s Newfound Demigod Powers Make Maui Unnecessary
The future of theMoanafranchise was reshapedby the decision toessentially replace Maui with Moana by making her a demigod. The dynamic from the first movie worked well, with Moana acting as a human action star and Maui taking on the supernatural threats that were too big for Moana. InMoana 2, that dynamic continued to work up until the very end, when Moana was shockingly killed by the storm god Nalo and given demigod powers that appear to be similar to Maui’s, minus the ability to shapeshift (so far).
2016
$150-$175 million
$687.2 million
95%
89%
2024
$150 million
$600 million (and counting)
62%
87%
That essentially sets the franchise up to work without the inclusion of Dwayne Johnson’s Mauiin future chapters in Moana’s story. While very little has been revealed about Moana’s demigod powers, or whether they are permanent (no sure thing considering Maui had his stripped just before Moana gained hers), it seems safe to assume that she will have some level of immortality to go with her new path-finding ability. That means she’s capable of taking on supernatural threats on her own, without Maui coming to her rescue against the most dire cosmic threats of the sea.
Dwayne Johnson Getting A Maui Spinoff Franchise Would Make Sense After Moana 2’s Success
The Appetite For Moana-Related Content Is Clearly High
Given the popularity of the character and the sheer recognizability of the long-haired, muscular demigod,it seems extremely unlikely thatMoana 3will cut Maui out of the equation entirely. The opportunity to do so came at the end of Moana 2 when he had his demigod powers stripped; as a human again, Maui could have set off on his own path. With his powers back, it seems much more likely that he will team up with powered-up demigod Moana to take down Nalo, the ultra-powerful storm deity they faced in the sequel.
Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in the live action version ofMoanawhen it hits theaters on July 10th, 2026.
However, given the incredible box office success ofMoana 2, it’s clear that interest in theMoanafranchise has never been higher. In that context,a Maui spinoff makes a ton of sense for Disney in the coming years. Dwayne Johnson’s star power and the fun abilities and personality of the demigod all lend themselves to Maui leading his own project. Whether that is a spinoff movie that chronicles Maui’s adventures on the sea without Moana, or perhaps a Disney+ series that explores Maui’s origins and great deeds, the opportunity is ripe for Maui to take center stage.
Moana 2
Cast
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
