As Remake Backlash Mounts, Disney Officially Addresses Future of ‘Moana 3’
Disney has another major movie arriving in theaters, but many fans are still asking the same question. After years of sequels and live-action remakes, audiences continue to wonder when the studio will deliver more original stories rather than returning to familiar franchises.
That debate has only intensified as the live-action Moana (2026) prepares to make its theatrical debut. The remake has remained one of Disney’s most talked-about projects, but before audiences even have the chance to judge the film for themselves, Disney is already thinking about what comes next.
New comments from Dwayne Johnson reveal that the animated side of the franchise isn’t finished yet.
Familiar Franchises Continue Driving Disney’s Success
Over the past several years, Disney has leaned heavily on recognizable brands. Animated follow-ups and live-action remakes have become a major part of the company’s release schedule, and, financially, that strategy continues to pay off.
Movies like Toy Story 5 (2026) and Zootopia 2 (2025) attracted huge audiences and reinforced Disney’s confidence in expanding its most popular franchises.
Still, ticket sales haven’t ended the debate. Some fans remain excited whenever their favorite characters return, while others would rather see Disney introduce entirely new worlds and stories rather than revisit existing ones.
Moana Has Become One of Disney’s Biggest Modern Franchises
Few animated films have grown into franchises as quickly as Moana.
After the original film debuted in 2016, it found an even larger audience through streaming and became one of Disney Animation’s most recognizable titles. Disney later expanded the story with Moana 2 (2024), which also performed well at the worldwide box office.
Now the franchise is preparing for another major milestone with a live-action adaptation starring Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui.
However, Disney’s plans extend well beyond the upcoming remake.
Dwayne Johnson Reveals What’s Next
During a press conference for the live-action film in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dwayne Johnson confirmed that work on Moana 3 is already underway at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
He also said returning writers Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller will once again lead the creative team after collaborating on Moana 2.
“Yes, we have talked about ‘Moana 3,’ yes. 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.'”
Johnson’s comments make it clear that Disney sees Moana as one of its biggest long-term franchises, regardless of how the live-action movie performs.
A Milestone for Disney Animation
If the project moves forward as planned, Moana will join rare company.
The series is set to become only the second Walt Disney Animation Studios franchise to receive a full theatrical trilogy, following the Frozen films. Disney has already announced Frozen 3 (2027), which is scheduled to open on November 24, 2027.
The numbers help explain why Disney wants another chapter. The first two Moana films have combined to earn more than $1.7 billion worldwide.
Although Disney has not shared story details or officially announced returning cast members, Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson are widely expected to reprise their roles.
Disney has not revealed whether the live-action remake will receive a sequel. However, the announcement of Lilo & Stitch 2 shows the company is willing to continue successful remake franchises.
Other Disney Sequels Could Follow
Now that Moana 3 is on the way, attention naturally turns toward Disney’s next animated sequel.
Many fans believe Zootopia 3 is a strong possibility after the franchise’s continued success. Others continue to hope Disney will eventually announce Encanto 2, which remains one of the studio’s most requested follow-ups.
Neither project has been officially confirmed, but Disney’s recent approach suggests both could eventually become a reality if audience demand remains high.
Disney’s Franchise Strategy Shows No Signs of Slowing
Animation represents only part of Disney’s broader plans. The studio also continues developing several franchise projects, including:
- Live-action Tangled
- Lilo & Stitch 2 (live-action)
- Live-action Hercules
- Cruella 2
- Maleficent 3
Taken together, those projects illustrate Disney’s long-term focus on expanding recognizable brands across multiple formats. Rather than moving away from familiar characters, the company continues investing in franchises that have already connected with audiences around the world.
Moana’s Journey Is Far From Finished
Whether fans want another sequel or more original films, Disney has made its priorities clear.
Before the live-action Moana (2026) reaches theaters, Disney is already planning another animated adventure. The franchise has become one of the company’s biggest success stories. Every new announcement suggests Moana’s journey is far from over.
