Dwayne Johnson has confirmed that Moana 3 is in development, marking the latest expansion of Disney’s animated franchise following the global success of its previous installments.
Speaking at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while promoting the upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana, Johnson said discussions about a third film are already underway.
“Yes, we have talked about Moana 3, yes,” Johnson said, according to Variety.
Writers returning for next instalment
Johnson, who portrays the demigod Maui in both the animated and live-action versions, said that Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller are expected to return as writers for the next chapter in the franchise.
“But first, live-action Moana, we’ll let that come out first. We have [the] amazing Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have been our writers … they will pen Moana 3,” he added.
While the project is being discussed, no production timeline or official release date for Moana 3 has been announced.
Franchise continues global success
The Moana franchise has become one of Disney’s most commercially successful animated properties in recent years. The original film, released in 2016, grossed around $680 million worldwide.
Its sequel, Moana 2, released in 2024, went on to surpass $1 billion at the global box office, strengthening the studio’s confidence in expanding the storyline further.
Live-action Moana set for 2026 release
Before the third animated instalment moves forward, Disney is preparing to release a live-action adaptation of Moana, scheduled to hit cinemas on July 10, 2026.
Johnson reprises his role as Maui in the live-action version, which is expected to reimagine the original story for a new audience.
Disney signals continued expansion
Disney CEO Bob Iger previously confirmed plans for continued development of the franchise, stating that Moana remains a key intellectual property for the studio.
“Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise, and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui,” Iger said in a statement.
With Moana 3 now in early development discussions, Disney appears set to further extend one of its most successful modern animated series.