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The Shocking Reason Lin-Manuel Miranda Isn't Writing Songs For Disney's Moana 2: A Deep Dive Into The New Music Team

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The anticipation for Disney’s Moana 2 is reaching a fever pitch, with the sequel set to sail into theaters on November 27, 2024. However, one of the most surprising and talked-about developments in the production has been the absence of the original film's musical maestro, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who penned iconic hits like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome."

The latest updates from late 2024 and early 2025 confirm that Miranda, a key creative force behind the first film’s success, did not return to write new songs for the sequel. This revelation has left many fans curious about the creative decision and the new direction of the soundtrack, which has been entrusted to a fresh team of Grammy-winning composers. This article dives into Miranda's own explanation for his non-involvement and introduces the talented artists stepping into his monumental shoes.

Lin-Manuel Miranda: A Profile of the Modern Musical Genius

Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American songwriter, actor, playwright, filmmaker, and rapper who has redefined the landscape of modern musical theater and film.

  • Born: January 16, 1980, in New York City, New York.
  • Parents: Luz Towns-Miranda (clinical psychologist) and Luis A. Miranda Jr. (political consultant). His family is of Puerto Rican descent.
  • Education: Attended Hunter College High School and Wesleyan University.
  • Breakthrough Work: He created and starred in the Broadway musicals In the Heights (2008) and the global phenomenon Hamilton: An American Musical (2015).
  • Awards and Honors: Miranda is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status, having won a Pulitzer Prize, multiple Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Tony Awards. He also received an Oscar nomination for "How Far I'll Go" from Moana.
  • Disney Involvement: His collaboration with Disney includes writing the music for Moana (2016) and Encanto (2021), for which the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" broke numerous chart records.
  • Recent Projects: Despite his absence from Moana 2, Miranda has been working on other major Disney projects, including writing new songs for the prequel film Mufasa: The Lion King.

His work is characterized by a unique blend of hip-hop, traditional show tunes, and Latin rhythms, making his music instantly recognizable and highly influential. Given his track record, his absence from the Moana sequel was a major surprise to the industry and fans alike.

The Definitive Answer: Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Did Not Return for Moana 2

The question of who wrote the songs for Moana 2 has been a major point of discussion since the sequel was announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger in February 2024. The truth, as revealed by Miranda himself in recent interviews, is a matter of timing and opportunity, not creative disagreement.

No Opportunity to Be On Moana 2

Miranda clarified that his non-involvement was due to the production timeline. He stated, “There was never an opportunity to be on Moana 2,” explaining that when the project was greenlit and the music team was being assembled, he was deeply immersed in other commitments.

Specifically, Miranda was already working on the music for the prequel film Mufasa: The Lion King, a project he began in early 2022 after finishing his work on Encanto. The overlapping production schedules meant that by the time Moana 2 was moving forward, the creative team had already secured their composers.

A Full Slate of Disney Projects

It is important to note that Miranda’s relationship with Disney remains strong. His shift to Mufasa: The Lion King demonstrates his continued role as a key songwriter for the studio’s tentpole animated features. His work on Encanto, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination, further cemented his status as a modern Disney legend. His explanation puts to rest any speculation of a rift, emphasizing that the decision was logistical.

The original Moana soundtrack, which he co-composed with Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i, was a critical and commercial smash, earning him an Oscar nomination and becoming a foundational piece of the Disney Renaissance 2.0. The pressure on the new musical team is therefore immense.

Meet the New Composers: Barlow & Bear and the Returning Team

With Lin-Manuel Miranda stepping away, the mantle of creating the new earworms for Moana 2 has been passed to a mix of fresh talent and returning veterans, ensuring the sequel maintains its connection to the Polynesian musical heritage while introducing a contemporary sound.

The Grammy-Winning Duo: Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear

The most notable new additions are the songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, collectively known as Barlow & Bear.

  • Viral Success: Barlow & Bear rose to prominence by composing the viral TikTok musical The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical during the COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Historic Grammy Win: Their work on the Bridgerton musical won them the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2022, making them the youngest winners in that category’s history. This historic win demonstrated their ability to craft compelling, theatrical music.
  • Musical Style: Their background in musical theater, combined with a contemporary pop sensibility, suggests a soundtrack that may lean into a more modern, yet emotionally resonant, style, distinct from Miranda's signature hip-hop-infused numbers.

The Returning Musical Foundation

The sequel’s musical backbone remains strong with the return of two key figures from the original Moana team:

  • Opetaia Foa'i: The Samoan musician and founder of the band Te Vaka, Foa'i is crucial for maintaining the authentic Pacific Island sound and cultural integrity that defined the first film.
  • Mark Mancina: A veteran film composer known for his work on The Lion King and Tarzan, Mancina brings his expertise in orchestral scoring and integrating world music elements.

This new combination—Barlow & Bear’s fresh theatrical energy paired with Foa’i and Mancina’s established cultural and orchestral depth—aims to deliver a soundtrack that honors the original while forging its own identity.

Moana 2 Plot, Cast, and the New Musical Landscape

The change in the songwriting team is perhaps the biggest creative shift for a sequel that otherwise retains much of its original magic. The film is set to be a major holiday release for Disney, continuing the beloved story of the Wayfinder.

The Plot: A New Voyage of Discovery

Moana 2 is set three years after the events of the first film. Moana, now a seasoned adventurer, is called upon by her ancestors to embark on a new, perilous journey. The plot centers on her reuniting with the demigod Maui and assembling a new, unexpected crew of wayfinders.

Their mission is to find the lost island of Motufetu and break a curse that has been plaguing the islands. This quest promises to expand the mythology of the Pacific Islands and delve deeper into Moana’s role as the leader of her people and a master navigator. The themes of ancestral connection, wayfinding, and self-discovery will undoubtedly be central to the new songs.

Returning Cast Members

The heart of the film remains the dynamic chemistry between the two leads, both of whom are confirmed to return:

  • Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana.
  • Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as Maui.
  • Nicole Scherzinger as Sina, Moana’s mother.

The return of these vocal powerhouses ensures that while the songwriting style may change, the iconic voices that brought the original songs to life will be there to perform the new material.

The Legacy and the Future of the Music

The new soundtrack has faced inevitable comparisons to Miranda’s work, which is seen by many as a modern classic. Initial reception to the new songs has been mixed, but Lin-Manuel Miranda has publicly defended Barlow & Bear, urging fans to embrace their unique contribution. He praised the composers for their talent and encouraged listeners to give the new music a chance, recognizing the difficulty of following up on a soundtrack as beloved as the first.

The success of Moana 2 will be a fascinating test of Disney's ability to evolve its musical formula beyond its established stars. While Miranda's absence is a bittersweet note for fans, it provides a monumental opportunity for Barlow & Bear to solidify their place in the pantheon of Disney composers and introduce a completely new sonic landscape to the world of Moana.

lin manuel miranda moana 2
lin manuel miranda moana 2

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