Emily Bear, the songwriter for Moana 2, shares insights on a significant song that was intended for the sequel but ultimately didn’t make the cut. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, this Disney animated sequel, which initially began as a Disney+ series, premiered in theaters last November.
It continues the adventures of the beloved characters Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, and Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson. In Moana 2, the duo sets off on another thrilling maritime quest through perilous, forgotten waters of Oceania, enriched by a vibrant soundtrack that enhances their journey.
In a recent interview, Emily Bear disclosed that a notably impactful song was excluded from Moana 2. The songwriter mentioned that this track, initially titled “Two Pieces,” was intended to be the film’s main ballad.
According to Emily Bear, “I am particularly saddened by a song titled ‘Two Pieces’. This track served as the primary ballad at the start of the film, while ‘Beyond’, our major ballad, concluded the movie. Despite its significance, ‘Two Pieces’ was removed from the film late in production after two and a half years of work, and we hadn’t even finalized its title.”
Emily Bear elaborates that the transition of the movie from streaming to theatrical release required significant alterations to the storyline, leading to the conclusion that “Two Pieces” no longer aligned with this revised direction.
As per Emily Bear, “Initially, it was included, but as the narrative progressed—something that often happens in animation—we reached a moment after one of the screenings where we exchanged glances and realized, ‘This no longer makes sense.’ The motivation for her journey shifted, rendering the pivotal ‘I Want’ song misaligned. We understood her choice, yet the song was centered around her being torn between two options.”
An Explanation of The Transition From TV Show To Movie In The Sequel
Moana achieved significant success in 2016, but it truly soared in popularity on Disney+, where it remains the most-streamed film. In late 2020, it was revealed that the franchise would expand with a streaming series.
However, in early 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that this series is being reimagined as a theatrical feature film, resulting in substantial changes to the storyline. Composer Mark Mancina previously said that, ‘They completely overhauled the entire project.’
As Emily Bear points out, the evolution of the story necessitated a transformation in the musical elements. While ‘Two Pieces’ could have highlighted Moana’s internal conflict regarding her adventure, the revised narrative portrays her as more determined.
Moana 2 features nine complete songs, with additional musical segments woven throughout the film. ‘Beyond’ is introduced early in Moana’s journey and played a significant role in the film’s promotional campaign. Interestingly, a distinct end-credits version of ‘Beyond’ was made available to the public weeks prior to the film’s debut.
The beloved songs from the original film will be featured in the highly anticipated live-action remake of Moana, with Dwayne Johnson returning to his iconic role as Maui.
Our Perspective On The Deleted Song From Moana 2
Audience reactions to Moana 2 and its soundtrack have been overwhelmingly favorable. With an impressive 86% score on the Popcorn meter from Rotten Tomatoes and a Box Office haul of $1.059 billion, the film has certainly made its mark.
However, exploring ‘Two Pieces’ could provide valuable insights into the original vision for Moana’s narrative before it transitioned from a series format to a feature film. Given that ‘Two Pieces’ doesn’t align with the narrative of the sequel, its public release remains uncertain.
While there hasn’t been any official announcement regarding Moana 3, if it aligns with the storyline and character development, there’s a possibility that the song could be incorporated into the upcoming sequel. For now, it’s evident that viewers are appreciating the version of Moana 2 that was ultimately presented on screen.