What can he say except “You’re Welcome!”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently posted on Twitter an update on Moana 2. The wrestler-turned-actor shared some images from the recording booth as he recorded his lines for the sequel to the modern Disney classic. 

Johnson shared that his character, Maui, was inspired by his Polynesian heritage. He revealed that his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, helped inspire Maui’s character and design. In a tweet, Johnson shared a photo of his late grandfather.

Bringing MAUI back to life for MOANA 2!

So much fun becoming MAUI again – a character that changed my life in many ways – including the character of MAUI being inspired by my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.

The Polynesian cultural significance of the role and our… pic.twitter.com/JpWjxySyWZ

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 27, 2024

Johnson’s Maui is the shapeshifting demigod who incited the first film’s conflict. Maui steals the heart of Te Fiti in the film’s opening sequence, angering Te Fiti and setting the world into chaos. A grown-up Moana teams up with Maui and takes up the quest to return the heart of Te Fiti to calm the frenzied goddess. 

While little is known about the plot of Moana 2, it is sure to follow Moana and Maui on a new adventure. With the surprise announcement of the sequel, Disney said that the film would follow an “expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui, and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers.” The synopsis continues, “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”

Moana 2 is not the only Moana project in the works. Disney had previously announced a live-action remake of Moana which would also star Johnson as Maui. Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Moana, is not expected to return in the live-action film but is lending her powerful voice to Moana 2. After the animated sequel was announced, the live-action Moana’s changed to release on June 19, 2026.

Moana 2 releases on November 27, 2024.