Moana 2is just a few weeks away from its theatrical release, and it was recently announced that the upcoming Disney princess film will premiere its official Māori dub alongside the official English version. This was described as a world-first movement as, typically, other language dubs of movies and TV shows would tend to come much later, for example,the Japanese dub ofThe Super Mario Bros. Moviecame out a few weeks after the English version in 2023. The Māori dub ofMoana 2will feature the return of New Zealand actress,Jaedyn Randell, who will be reprising her role as the iconic Polynesian princess, Moana, following her performance in 2017.
ABC Australiareported thatMoana 2will be the sixth Disney project to be dubbed in the Te Reo Māori language. Matewa Media’s producer and filmmaker,Mia Māramacommented on this exciting news, stating that translating movies in this language allows “Māori filmmakers to own the space” and it allows children to watch a film they resonate with without having to watch the English dub first. According to the Australian news outlet, when the official Te Reo Māori dub ofMoanacame out in 2017, all 30 screenings sold out in New Zealand.
Randell told ABC what it was like to voice Moana in this Indigenous language, stating that what she’s doing helps support her people as well as celebrate and promote the language. A2023 Disney ANZpress release listed other projects that were also given official Māori dubs, which includeEncanto,Coco,The Lion King,andFrozen.
Dubbed Content Plays a Role in Preserving Culture
Language dubbing plays a huge role in terms of preserving a culture. Not only does it provide alocalized version of a film and TV show, but it also celebrates said language through popular media, allowing kids to learn more about their identity through their favorite characters and stories. In addition, it helps people, especially children, learn a second language.ABC Australiareported that the hit Australian children’s show,Blueywas dubbed in over 20 languages and parents use the show to help their kids connect to their roots.
Getting local dubs of content has not always been easy. In 2021, Iceland’s Minister of Education and Culture,Lilja Alfreðsdóttirsent a letter to Disney to include Icelandic in Disney+ after it was made available in the country.The Reykjavík Grapevinetranslated her letter to Disney’s CEO,Bob Chapek, stating that Icelandic is “the core of our nation’s culture and identity” and believes that exposure to the language via Disney’s offerings is “vital for personal development.” Fortunately,The Walt Disney Company respondedvia its Nordic and Baltic divisions, stating it was already taking action and would require a few months to complete.
Moana 2enters theaters on August 17, 2025.
Moana sets out on another daring voyage, venturing into uncharted territories to save her island from a looming ancient danger. Joined by the demigod Maui and her steadfast friends, she braves perilous seas and encounters new allies along the way. Her quest leads to revelations about her ancestors and deeper insights into her bond with the ocean.
