The Shocking Truth About Moana 2: Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Didn't Write The New Songs

The question of whether Lin-Manuel Miranda contributed to the highly anticipated Moana 2 soundtrack has been a major point of curiosity for fans of the original 2016 Disney hit. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the definitive answer is that the musical genius behind Hamilton and the original Moana songs did *not* write the new music for the sequel. This surprising news has shifted the spotlight to a new, dynamic songwriting duo and revealed the creative forces steering the next chapter of Moana’s journey across the Pacific.

The original film’s soundtrack, which featured iconic, Oscar-nominated songs like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome," set an incredibly high bar, making Miranda's absence a significant talking point. The creative decision to bring in new talent was driven by a mix of scheduling conflicts and a desire to introduce fresh voices, a move that has now been fully explained by Miranda himself and the new creative team. This article dives into the full details of the *Moana 2* music team, the reason for Miranda's departure, and the exciting new composers who have taken the helm.

Lin-Manuel Miranda: A Brief Biography and His *Moana* Legacy

Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American actor, singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, and playwright, widely celebrated for his groundbreaking work in musical theater and film. His legacy is defined by his unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater styles.

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• Full Name: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Born: January 16, 1980, in New York City, New York
• Education: Hunter College High School; Wesleyan University (B.A., 2002)
• Spouse: Vanessa Nadal (m. 2010)
• Children: Two sons
• Key Works (Theater): In the Heights (2008 Tony Award for Best Original Score), Hamilton (2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 11 Tony Awards)
• Key Works (Film): Moana (2016), Encanto (2021), Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021)
• Awards: EGOT recipient (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar nomination, Tony), Pulitzer Prize, MacArthur Fellowship.
• *Moana* Contribution: Miranda wrote the original songs for the 2016 film, collaborating with composer Mark Mancina and Oceanic artist Opetaia Foaʻi. The song "How Far I'll Go" earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Miranda's musical contribution to the original Moana was pivotal to its success, establishing the emotional core of the film and providing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with one of his most memorable musical numbers, "You're Welcome." His ability to blend contemporary Broadway pop with traditional Polynesian music, thanks to his collaboration with Opetaia Foaʻi, created a beloved and culturally respectful soundtrack.

The Definitive Reason Lin-Manuel Miranda is Absent from *Moana 2*

The short and definitive answer is that Lin-Manuel Miranda did not write the songs for Moana 2. He confirmed this himself, explaining that the opportunity to return simply "was never an opportunity" due to an intense, conflicting professional schedule.

When the sequel, which was initially planned as a Disney+ series before being upgraded to a theatrical release, was fast-tracked, Miranda was already deeply committed to several other high-profile projects. These commitments included his work on the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid and the upcoming Disney film Mufasa: The Lion King.

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Miranda has expressed nothing but support and enthusiasm for the new team. He publicly stated he is "thrilled" by the success of the new songwriters and the direction of the sequel. This gracious handover ensures that the production of *Moana 2* could proceed without delay, prioritizing the film's release date over waiting for Miranda's schedule to clear.

Meet the New Songwriters: Barlow & Bear and Returning Composers

With Miranda stepping aside, Disney sought out fresh, exciting talent to craft the new musical landscape for Moana’s second adventure. The task of writing the new original songs was given to the GRAMMY-winning duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear.

Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear: The New Voices

Barlow & Bear are a contemporary songwriting team who rose to prominence through social media, specifically TikTok. They achieved viral fame for writing "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical," which garnered them a GRAMMY Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2022. This made them the first female songwriting duo and the youngest composers hired by Disney for a major animated feature.

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Their involvement signifies Disney's commitment to finding innovative and modern voices. They bring a new, contemporary pop sensibility to the soundtrack while still aiming to honor the Polynesian foundation laid by the original film. The duo has spoken about the immense pressure and honor of stepping into a franchise with such a beloved musical legacy.

Returning Musical Architects: Mancina and Foaʻi

While the original songwriter is absent, two crucial musical figures from the first film have returned to ensure continuity and cultural authenticity: Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi.

• Mark Mancina: A veteran film composer known for his work on The Lion King, Mancina returned to compose the film’s score. His sweeping orchestral arrangements provide the adventurous and emotional backdrop for the story.
• Opetaia Foaʻi: The founder and lead singer of the Polynesian musical group Te Vaka, Foaʻi was integral to the cultural authenticity of the first film's music. He has returned to co-write some of the songs and contribute his deep knowledge of Pacific Island music and rhythms, ensuring the sequel maintains its authentic voice.

The combination of Barlow & Bear's fresh, modern songwriting and the return of Mancina and Foaʻi's established score and cultural expertise creates a unique blend that promises to be both familiar and new for audiences.

The Creative Team Guiding Moana’s New Journey

The musical shift is part of a larger change in the creative leadership for Moana 2. The sequel is a collaborative effort helmed by a new trio of directors, ensuring a fresh perspective on the story and characters.

Key Creative Personnel for *Moana 2*:

• Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller
• Executive Producer and Screenwriter: Jared Bush (who also co-wrote the original *Moana* and directed *Zootopia*)
• Songwriters (New Songs): Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear
• Score Composer and Co-Songwriter: Mark Mancina
• Co-Songwriter and Cultural Consultant: Opetaia Foaʻi
• Returning Voice Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana) and Dwayne Johnson (Maui)

The story, penned by Dana Ledoux Miller and Jared Bush, focuses on Moana receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. This new journey will take Moana, Maui, and a new crew of unlikely sailors to the far seas of Oceania and into long-lost, dangerous waters. The involvement of David Derrick Jr., who previously served as a story artist on the first film, as a director adds another layer of continuity to the creative process.

While the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s direct songwriting contribution is notable, the creative team has been careful to maintain the spirit of the original film. The return of the core voice cast, the original score composer, and the cultural music consultant demonstrates a clear commitment to honoring the legacy of the first film while embracing the excitement of new musical talent. Fans can anticipate a soundtrack that is both a tribute to the original and a bold, new musical exploration when *Moana 2* hits theaters.