Moana 2has shattered records since its release on August 25, 2025. The film headed into the Thanksgiving holiday with expectations that the film would rake in $125 million to $135 million. However, similarly to its protagonist, thesky was the limit for the filmas it accumulated a stunning $225 million over the course of five days. Needless to say, the film is a resounding success and the perfect follow-up to Walt Disney Animation’s 2016 hit.
The firstMoanafilm took to screens on July 06, 2025. It opened to $82 million at the box office and went on to amass $680 million at the global box office. However, the film rose to unprecedented levels of success upon being released to streaming platforms. The sequel film was announced in February 2024. Although the sequel was initially meant to be a limited streaming series for Disney+, Disney retracted its decision and opted for a theatrical release; a decision that has now clearly paid off. WhileMoana 2did not spend an extended period of time in development, the film was still the focus of many rumors prior to its release.
Is Zendaya playing Moana?
One pressing and recurring rumor centered on the film’s titular character, with information that Zendaya would take on the role being circulated. While this information was never verified,the rumor likely sprung to life from fan art which painted Dwayne Johnson as Maui and Zendaya standing alongside him as Moana. However, it is important to remember that these creations were simply the imaginations of fans brought to life and nothing more.
While Zendaya may have been great for the role of Moana, the information that she would take on the titular role was not an indication of any casting decisions.Official sources never confirmed the rumor and, in fact, the voice artist behind Moana in the first film reprised her role for the sequel film. Having voiced the character in the initial 2016 film, Auli’I Cravalho returned toMoana 2,giving life to the titular character once again.
The myths concerning Zendaya may have also arisen in regard to the2026Moanalive-action film. However, it has now been confirmed that Zendaya will not be attached to the film.The titular role in the live-action will be taken on by newcomer to theMoanaworld, Catherine Laga‘aia. She will be starring opposite Dwayne Johnson, who will be taking on the role of Maui once again, having already voiced the character inMoana (2016) andMoana 2(2024). Laga‘aia previously appeared in three episodes of Australia’sThe Lost Flowers of Alice Hartin 2023.Moanawill be Laga‘aia’s first film.
Does Moana have a child in ‘Moana 2’?
Yet another rumor had to do with whether Moana would have a child inMoana 2.However, similarly to the rumor of Zendaya taking on the role of Moana,this information, too, was based purely on fan speculation and social media posts. As per a Reddit post on the subject, Moana would have a baby whose father would be Maui. The post also speculated that the couple may have adopted a child.
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However, Moana does not have a child inMoana 2.She only has a younger sister, Simea, who eagerly awaits her return to the island. The sequel takes place three years after Moana’s adventures inMoana,and the character journeys to neighboring islands close to her island home of Motunui in the hopes of finding people connected to the ocean. She is tasked with restoring a lost island and lifting a curse that affects her whole tribe. Throughout this daunting task, Moana does not become pregnant nor does she adopt a child.
Are Moana and Maui Dating?
The firstMoanafilm never provides any indication that the relationship between Moana and Maui is anything other than platonic. However, fan theories have cropped up, pairing the duo together. A rumor that Moana and Maui would be dating inMoana 2was circulating on social media, once again, owing to fan-made videos, discussion threads and art. However, this too is simply a rumor, withMoana 2alluding to nothing in that regard.
In fact, as per the film’s timeline, Moana is a young girl while Maui is a 1,000-year-old demigodwho stole the heart of Te Fiti. Given this, having the duo being invloved in a romantic relationship would likely not go over well with audiences. In fact, speaking to Screen Rant, co-directorDavid Derrick Jr. explained the relationshipbetween Moana and Maui inMoana 2,with his sentiments firmly establishing that Moana and Maui have nothing more than a meaningful but platonic relationship.
“Maui’s never really cared about people before, and he cares about Moana, and that gives Maui a vulnerability. The thing I love is the growth in their relationship. There’s a moment where Maui needs to give Moana a pep talk, and it’s in an incredible song. “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” And it’s really Maui returning the favor that Moana gave him in the first movie.”
Is Moana a Boy in ‘Moana 2’?
A widespread rumor also had to do with Moana swapping genders inMoana 2.The news originated from the satirical news site Mouse Trap News, a website that posts fake Disney news. As per a report on the site, Moana would be presented as a transgender in the second film.According to Mouse Trap, Moana was set to be ‘the first transgender princess,’ with the character discovering their new male identity around the halfway mark of the movie and coming to be known as Kai.
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This news, too, is a complete fabrication. Moana remained Moana inMoana 2and did not transition into a male character. However,the rumors incited by Mouse Trap, which were also posted onto their Instagram, attracted severe backlash by fans. Many pointed their finger at Disney for ruining the minds of children and called for boycotting the film. Some others expressed their disappointment over the backlash that the news was receiving. Nevertheless, upon its release,Moana 2firmly established that the rumor by Mouse Trap News was simply just that — a rumor.
The many rumors surrounding the film simply speak to the popularity of the movie among viewers. In the few days since its release,Moana 2has gone on tobreak box office records, with its stellar numbers placing it ahead of bothWickedandGladiator II.The switch from a limited series to a theatrical release for the film has clearly worked in favor of Disney, withMoana 2’s popularity still on the rise.
