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The Shocking Truth: 5 Reasons Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Didn't Write Songs For Disney's Moana 2

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As of December 22, 2025, the question of whether Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical genius behind the original film's smash-hit songs, returned for *Moana 2* has a clear and definitive answer: No, Lin-Manuel Miranda did not write any of the new original songs for the highly anticipated 2024 Disney sequel. His absence was a major surprise to fans, but the reason is rooted in a scheduling conflict with another massive Disney project, paving the way for a new generation of songwriters to take the helm. This article dives deep into the creative decision, the new musical team, and Miranda's future with the *Moana* franchise.

The original *Moana* (2016) soundtrack, featuring iconic tunes like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome," became a cultural phenomenon, earning Miranda an Academy Award nomination. His non-involvement in *Moana 2* marks a significant shift for the franchise, introducing a fresh sound from new, Grammy-winning talent while still retaining the foundational Polynesian rhythms established by returning composers.

Lin-Manuel Miranda: A Brief Biography and Creative Profile

Lin-Manuel Miranda is one of the most celebrated and influential musical theatre writers, composers, and performers of the 21st century. His work has redefined the Broadway landscape and left an indelible mark on cinema and television.

  • Full Name: Lin-Manuel Miranda.
  • Born: January 16, 1980, in New York City.
  • Parents: Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Luz Towns-Miranda.
  • Nationality: American (of Puerto Rican descent).
  • Alma Mater: Wesleyan University.
  • Spouse: Vanessa Nadal (m. 2010).
  • Children: Two sons.
  • Major Works (Theatre): *In the Heights* (2008 Tony Award for Best Original Score), *Hamilton: An American Musical* (2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 11 Tony Awards).
  • Major Works (Film/TV): *Moana* (2016), *Encanto* (2021), *Tick, Tick... Boom!* (2021, Director), *His Dark Materials* (Actor), *Mary Poppins Returns* (Actor).
  • Awards: Multiple Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, two Olivier Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) eligibility, only missing the competitive Oscar.
  • Disney Involvement: He has been a key creative partner for Walt Disney Animation Studios, contributing music to both *Moana* and *Encanto* (which featured the global hit "We Don't Talk About Bruno").

Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Stepped Away from the Moana 2 Soundtrack

The primary reason for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s absence from the *Moana 2* creative team was a simple matter of timing and professional commitment.

The Mufasa: The Lion King Conflict

When Disney Animation Studios fast-tracked the development of *Moana 2* from a planned Disney+ series into a full theatrical feature film, Miranda was already deeply involved in another major Disney project: the prequel to the live-action *The Lion King*, titled *Mufasa: The Lion King*.

Miranda was tasked with writing the original songs for *Mufasa*, a commitment that required his full attention. He confirmed this in interviews, stating that "there was never an opportunity to be on *Moana 2*." The decision was not a rejection of the *Moana* franchise but a necessary choice due to overlapping production schedules on two high-profile animated features.

A Focus on New Projects

While Miranda's name is synonymous with Disney's musical resurgence, he has been branching out into various other roles, including directing (with *Tick, Tick... Boom!*) and producing. His extensive creative plate meant that contributing to *Moana 2* would have been impossible without compromising the quality of his other work.

Despite not being involved, Miranda has expressed his full support for the sequel and its new musical team. He stated he was "thrilled" by the success of the film and defended the choice of the new songwriters, showing his commitment to nurturing new talent in the industry.

The New Sound of Motunui: Who Wrote the Moana 2 Songs?

With Miranda unavailable, Walt Disney Animation Studios turned to a mix of returning talent and a dynamic new songwriting duo to craft the music for *Moana 2*, which was released on November 27, 2024.

The Grammy-Winning Duo: Barlow & Bear

The primary songwriters for the new original songs in *Moana 2* are Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (known collectively as Barlow & Bear). This choice was a significant, yet inspired, move by Disney.

  • Who They Are: Barlow & Bear rose to international fame by writing a concept album, *The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical*, based on the popular Netflix series.
  • Historic Win: Their work on the musical earned them the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, making them the youngest winners in that category's history and the first to win for a work created entirely on TikTok.
  • Their Contribution: They composed several new tracks for the sequel, bringing a fresh, contemporary musical theatre sensibility to the Polynesian-inspired world of *Moana*.

The Returning Masters: Mancina and Foaʻi

While the new original songs came from Barlow & Bear, the musical foundation and cultural authenticity of the film were maintained by the return of two key figures from the original movie: Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi.

  • Mark Mancina: A veteran composer known for his work on Disney classics like *Tarzan* and *The Lion King*. He returned to compose the film's score, ensuring the cinematic soundscape remained consistent with the first film.
  • Opetaia Foaʻi: The founder and lead singer of the Polynesian musical group Te Vaka, Foaʻi's contribution is vital. He returned as a co-songwriter and composer, anchoring the soundtrack in authentic South Pacific rhythms and choral arrangements. His presence guarantees that the cultural heart of the music remains intact.

The new musical team successfully navigated the challenge of following up a beloved, Lin-Manuel Miranda-penned soundtrack. The blend of Barlow & Bear’s modern musical theatre flair with Mancina and Foaʻi’s established score and cultural expertise created a unique auditory experience for *Moana 2*.

The Future of Moana: Live-Action and Beyond

While Lin-Manuel Miranda did not contribute to the animated sequel, his relationship with the *Moana* franchise is far from over. His creative involvement is secured for the next major iteration of the story.

Miranda's Return for Live-Action Moana

Lin-Manuel Miranda is confirmed to be returning to the world of Motunui for the upcoming live-action adaptation of *Moana*. This film, which will star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reprising his role as Maui, is a separate project from the animated sequel.

Miranda is expected to serve as a producer and will likely be involved in the music, which is anticipated to feature the original beloved songs he wrote, such as "How Far I'll Go," "Where You Are," and "Shiny." His return to the live-action project ensures that his musical legacy remains central to the *Moana* universe.

Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson's Reprisal

The success of the animated sequel was also bolstered by the return of its main voice cast. Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana, and Dwayne Johnson, who voiced Maui, both reprised their roles, providing a crucial element of continuity and familiarity for fans.

The *Moana* franchise, under the banner of Walt Disney Animation Studios, is expanding rapidly. The continuation of Moana’s journey in the animated sequel, coupled with the development of the live-action remake, solidifies its position as one of Disney's most important and profitable properties in the 2020s.

In conclusion, while Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs are absent from the *Moana 2* tracklist due to his commitment to *Mufasa: The Lion King*, the film’s music is in the capable hands of Grammy-winners Barlow & Bear and returning composers Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi. Fans can look forward to Miranda’s musical genius returning when the live-action *Moana* hits theaters.

did lin manuel miranda write moana 2
did lin manuel miranda write moana 2

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