November 27, 2024, is the day you want to keep in mind as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 is released in theatres. Tickets are now on sale for the movie so find your favorite movie theatre app and buy your tickets. The day before, November 26, get ready to go behind the scenes of Moana 2 in incredible, colorful detail, thanks to the newest book in the Disney Art of series.
Journey from Motunui across the vast ocean with Moana and her crew in this latest installment, visually revealing the story behind the art and making of Moana 2. This stunning art book highlights the development artwork and paintings from the film’s creation—including character designs, storyboards, color scripts, and much more—and features exclusive interviews from the creative team along with behind-the-scenes details.
Speaking of, in anticipation of both the book’s debut and the movie’s November premiere, D23 sat down not only with the book’s author—Kalikolehua Hurley, also a member of Moana 2’s Oceanic Cultural Trust and Sr. Manager, Cultural at Walt Disney Animation Studios—but also with co-directors Jason Hand, David Derrick, Jr., and Dana Ledoux Miller for an exclusive chat.
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club: Kalikolehua, what was working on the book like?
Kalikolehua Hurley: Working on an Art of book with Chronicle Books is very, very collaborative. We worked closely with our production designer Ian Gooding, and of course with our amazing directors as well, and our producers. We all get to sit and look at the incredible work that has been created by our artists, across the board, and decide in terms of the structure of the book; how we’re going to tell the story.
In our case, you’ll see it tracks Moana’s journey across the film—the new worlds that she visits; the new characters that she meets. It’s been such a wonderful collaboration, and we hope that it highlights everyone’s amazing work.
D23: David, what’s your favorite thing about the book?
David Derrick, Jr.: I love that it shows the evolution of the story, visually—back from where we began. I think one of the earliest drawings I did is in there, of Moana in front of a giant whale shark. You’ll see incredible paintings by [Walt Disney Animation Studios’] Ian Gooding and James Finch, all of our incredible artists—things that sometimes don’t necessarily make it into the final film. And I also love the representation of our story team in there. So many of our jokes land and work because our story team works tirelessly, iterating and making these jokes really work—and making true emotional moments really land.
D23: Jason, what do you hope The Art of Moana 2 highlights?
Jason Hand: It’s such a great thing to be able to showcase all the amazing artwork that’s created. An animated film is made from the ground up. Every single thing has to be designed or researched—and that book is such a testament to all the incredible work that’s put into what makes an animated film.
D23: Dana, is there anything specific you hope readers take away from this book?
Dana Ledoux Miller: At every stage of making an animated film, we have incredibly inspired artists and craftspeople collaborating to create what has become the stunning visual landscape of Moana 2. I am so thrilled for people to get a glimpse at just some of their amazing work. From visual development to story sketches and beyond, this book takes you on the journey that led to the film you see on the screen.
Look for The Art of Moana 2 on bookshelves (both physical and digital) beginning November 26—or you can pre-order it now from your favorite bookstore! Check out more images from the book, below:
What do you think of this new book? Will you be adding it to your collection? Let us know in the comments.
