The confirmation came with the reassurance that the key creative forces behind the franchise are returning. Writers Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have been instrumental in shaping the Moana universe are penning the script for Moana 3. Bush has written every screenplay connected to the franchise, including both animated films and the forthcoming live-action version. Miller joined the team for Moana 2, co-writing the screenplay and co-directing the film with David Derrick Jr. Bush and Miller also collaborated on the live-action movie, ensuring a consistent creative foundation for the next animated chapter.
The answer is yes, we have talked about Moana 3. But first, live-action Moana, we let that come out first. We have amazing Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have been our writers; they’re amazing, and they will pen Moana 3.
The announcement is unsurprising given the commercial success of the Moana films. The original movie grossed $643 million worldwide, while its sequel exceeded that figure, earning over $1.059 billion globally. Moana 2's journey from a planned Disney+ series to a theatrical release less than a year prior to its debut adds to its remarkable achievement.
Disney now faces the unique challenge of developing both an animated franchise and a live-action adaptation of the same property concurrently. Unlike previous Disney remakes that revisited completed animated stories, Moana's animated films are still progressing while the live-action version is just beginning. This dual development could see two versions of the franchise coexist on screen if the live-action Moana performs as anticipated.
Potential Release Window
While Moana 3 is confirmed, its release date remains uncertain. Walt Disney Animation Studios has its upcoming theatrical slate scheduled, with Hexed set for November 25, 2026, and Frozen 3 slated for November 24, 2027. This schedule suggests 2028 as the earliest realistic release window for Moana 3. However, Zootopia 3 is also in development and could potentially complicate release plans. Disney has previously released two animated films in the same year, as they did in 2016 with Zootopia and Moana, making a shared release year for Moana 3 and Zootopia 3 a possibility.
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