Walt Disney recently released the first trailer for Moana 2, set to be released on November 27, 2024. Starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho, the movie aims to build on the success of the original 2016 release, which grossed around $687 million at the box office. The trailer itself promises an entertaining watch, which sees Moana set sails into unchartered territory once again, in a bid to ‘sail new waters.’
However, despite a promising trailer, it seems as if the Dwayne Johnson movie has run into a snag already, as its release date clashes with another major project. It stars none other than Ariana Grande, and boasts of Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum as well. Based on characters from the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked also releases on November 27, 2024.
The clash has already led to fans choosing sides, with both movies seemingly attracting the same amount of attention.
Moana 2’s release will clash with Ariana Grande’s Wicked
While Moana 2 only recently released its first trailer, Wicked’s teaser came out a couple of weeks ago, and promises a magical journey to the World of Oz, and features Ariana Grande as a young Glinda the Good. The musical live-action stars Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and was initially set to release way back in 2019.
However, the project’s delays has only led to good news, as Grande herself makes her acting debut, with the talented Jon M. Chu as the director. Regardless, the fact that Moana 2 releases on the same day has led to some healthy competition amongst fans.
While quite a few seemingly held out for Wicked, othrs claimed that they will be more willing to watch the Dwayne Johnson-starrer. Fans on Twitter seemed divided on the comparison, although The Rock had his fair share of backers.
A number of fans came out in Moana 2’s support, claiming that they the Moana 2 trailer was simply better:
i speak for everyone when i say we will only be watching WICKED. pic.twitter.com/8iM6wbQOhq
— tbim • fan account (@grandenewshub) May 29, 2024
tasteless
— tbim • fan account (@grandenewshub) May 29, 2024
Not for me🖕
— 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 (@heartofthewater) May 29, 2024
Hahaha nah. Moana looks way better.
— Hornet (@pepecza) May 29, 2024
See you in theaters November 27th pic.twitter.com/MxIATIwLGY
— Love, Danny (@DannyWxo) May 29, 2024
we will be seeing wicked and wicked only
— juaan💋 (fan account) (@juaangng__) May 29, 2024
Yesss
— Muhammed E.S (@medari2003) May 29, 2024
Moana 2 has been in development since 2020
While Wicked undoubtedly promises to be stiff competition for Moana 2, there is plenty of reason for fans to be excited about the Dwayne Johnson project. The movie sees the return of the original characters in the form of Moana and Maui, the latter voiced by the WWE superstar.
Initially developed as a TV series, the narration was eventually converted into a sequel project by Disney+, and may have star power of its own.
While Wicked sees Ariana Grande, Moana 2 has been rumored to include the voice of none other than Taylor Swift, something Dwayne Johnson himself talked about in an interview with Access Hollywood, according to 411 Mani:
You get all the rumors. You know we started talking about is it, ‘What can I say except you’re welcome,’ then she comes in with her verse. It’s all a beautiful thing, but I can’t talk about it. After this, I’m going to get the call from my agent like, ‘Wait, is Taylor in ‘Moana 2?
Hence, while Swift’s involvement is merely a rumor at this point, there might be another thing in common between Moana 2, and Wicked. Apart from sharing the same release date, both movies might as well see the involvement of two major popstars.
