Moana 2 co-director David Derrick Jr. explains how the sequel’s ending with the new wayfinders could shape future installments. Moana 2 was released in November 2024 as the sequel to Disney’s 2016 hit starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Directed by Derrick Jr. alongside Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the movie became a box office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. The ending of Moana 2, which saw the тιтular character become a demigod and unite wayfinders from neighboring islands, opened the door for future sequels and spinoffs.

In an interview with The Wrap, Derrick Jr. commented on a particular Moana 2 scene that has generated a lot of conversation, revealing that the wayfinder sequence will be something that helps to inspire future films. He discussed how the introduction of more wayfinders allows exploration of the ethnosphere and how Pacific Islanders would navigate the surrounding landscape. He welcomed the chance to be able to show different people and cultures in potential follow-up movies. Check out Derrick Jr.’s full comments below:

One that is important to me that I’ve gotten several different times from people of the community, is wanting to know who these other new wayfinders that we meet at the very end are. And that’s something that for Jason and I at the very, very beginning, we wanted to show because, you’ve heard me say the word ethnosphere and how excited I get about how the people of the Pacific were able to connect to all the different islands.

And it wasn’t because of any one island. It was the collaboration of many different islands and cultures that was able to make those long journeys possible. To show, you know, people from Micronesia, from the Solomon Islands, from proto-Tahitian [culture], I’m so excited about that. Those are questions I want to ask and answer in the future.

What These Comments Mean For Moana 3

The Universe Looks Set To Expand

While there has been no official announcement yet, Moana 3 could happen, and the success of the franchise means this is really more a question of when, not if, a third movie will get the greenlight. Derrick Jr.’s comments show that he has plenty of ideas for the directions future movies could go in, and that he is keen to be able to explore the world more thoroughly and introduce more wayfinders. These characters offer an important opportunity for representation and can be used as a way of exploring and honoring Pacific Islander culture.

In the Moana 2 ending, Moana’s ascension to demigod status and the completion of her mission brings other wayfinders to her island to build connective relationships and alliances, thus providing other corners of the world that could be explored. This is bound to lead to a range of exciting story opportunities, and it is a great way of expanding the Moana universe in an organically pleasing way that stays true to Polynesian cultures and customs. Derrick Jr.’s comments suggest he might have a wealth of ideas in mind that can help achieve this.

Our Take On How Derrick Jr.’s Comments Could Shape Moana 3

Wayfinders Are Likely To Play A Prominent Role

Moana 3 could see the new demigod team up with Maui again, tasked with traveling the ocean, connecting with new wayfinders, and trying to bring prosperity to the surrounding islands. There is also the matter of Moana 2‘s post-credits scene, featuring an alliance between Nalo, Matangi, and Tamatoa. Moana and Maui may need the help of other wayfinders to battle the trio and make sure their world continues to prosper. There are a lot of directions future movies could take after the events of Moana 2, and Derrick Jr. evidently has big plans for the franchise.

Source: The Wrap