The Shocking Truth: Did Lin-Manuel Miranda Write The Songs For Moana 2? (And Why He Was Never Asked)
The question of whether Lin-Manuel Miranda returned to write the songs for Disney's highly anticipated sequel, Moana 2, has been a major talking point among fans since the film's announcement. As of December 23, 2025, the definitive answer is that the celebrated composer of the original 2016 hit did not pen the new music for the sequel. This surprising shift in creative direction has paved the way for a new, historic songwriting team to take the reins, while Miranda himself has offered a candid explanation for his absence and a ringing endorsement for the film’s new musical direction.
The original Moana soundtrack, featuring iconic, Oscar-nominated songs like "How Far I'll Go" and the viral sensation "You're Welcome," set an incredibly high bar. The decision to move forward with a new composer team for Moana 2 was a calculated one by Walt Disney Animation Studios, focusing on introducing fresh voices while maintaining the core musical spirit established in the first film's rich Polynesian-inspired soundscape. This article dives into the full story behind the Moana 2 soundtrack, the new composers, and Lin-Manuel Miranda's current relationship with the franchise.
The Musical Legacy of Lin-Manuel Miranda: A Brief Biography
Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American actor, singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, and playwright, widely considered one of the most influential creative forces in modern American theater and film. His career is marked by groundbreaking works that blend hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater styles.
- Full Name: Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Date of Birth: January 16, 1980
- Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Puerto Rican (from his father's side)
- Education: Hunter College High School; Wesleyan University (B.A. in Theatre Studies)
- Spouse: Vanessa Nadal (m. 2010)
- Children: Two sons
- Notable Works (Theater): In the Heights (2008 Tony Award for Best Original Score), Hamilton: An American Musical (2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical)
- Notable Works (Film/TV Music): Disney’s Moana (2016), Disney’s Encanto (2021), Vivo (2021), The Little Mermaid (2023 live-action, co-writer)
- Major Awards: Pulitzer Prize, three Grammy Awards, three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a MacArthur Fellowship. He is one of the youngest people to achieve EGOT status (winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) eligibility, having been nominated for an Academy Award for "How Far I'll Go" and winning for "Dos Oruguitas" from Encanto.
Miranda's work on the original Moana was pivotal, introducing his unique, rapid-fire lyrical style and emotional depth to the Disney canon, collaborating with composers Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi. His absence from the sequel was therefore a significant point of curiosity and, for some, initial disappointment.
The New Songwriting Team: Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear
The mantle of songwriting for Moana 2 was passed to the dynamic, Grammy Award-winning duo, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. This selection marks a historic moment for Walt Disney Animation Studios, as Barlow and Bear are the first all-female songwriting team to lead the music for a Disney animated feature film.
A Shift in Creative Focus
Barlow and Bear bring a fresh, contemporary energy to the project. They gained significant notoriety for their viral sensation, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, which originated on TikTok and went on to win the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2022. Their innovative approach to musical storytelling, often incorporating modern pop sensibilities, suggests a slightly different flavor for the Moana 2 soundtrack while still respecting the original's foundation.
The duo joined returning composers Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi. Mancina is a veteran film composer known for his work on The Lion King, while Foaʻi is a Tokelauan musician who specializes in contemporary Polynesian music, ensuring the sequel maintains its authentic Pacific Islands sound and cultural integrity. This blend of new and established talent was designed to propel Moana’s story forward while honoring its roots.
The New Songs and Soundtrack Entities
The Moana 2 soundtrack features 16 tracks, including several new original songs. The music explores new themes and emotional landscapes as Moana, Maui, and a new crew venture into the long-lost waters of Oceania. Key entities and themes within the new music include:
- Oceanic Exploration: Songs focused on the journey, discovery, and the call of the sea, which are central to the film’s plot.
- New Character Dynamics: Music that highlights the relationship between Moana and her new crew, including her younger sister, Lani.
- Cultural Authenticity: The continued influence of Opetaia Foaʻi, ensuring the use of traditional instruments and Polynesian vocal styles.
- Pop-Infused Ballads: Barlow and Bear’s signature style is likely to introduce more contemporary, radio-friendly elements to the Disney musical lexicon.
Fan reception to the new songs has been varied, as is often the case with sequels to beloved musicals. However, the critical consensus acknowledges the talent and fresh perspective that Barlow and Bear have brought to the franchise.
Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Was Not Involved in the Sequel
The most compelling piece of information for fans is the reason behind Lin-Manuel Miranda’s non-involvement. It was not due to a creative dispute or a lack of interest, but rather a simple matter of timing and opportunity.
"There Was Never an Opportunity"
In interviews following the release of Moana 2, Lin-Manuel Miranda clarified his absence. He stated that the initial development of the sequel, which began as a Disney+ series before being upgraded to a theatrical release, occurred during a period when his schedule was completely booked with other major commitments.
Miranda was heavily involved in multiple high-profile projects, including the live-action adaptation of his own musical, In the Heights, and his directorial debut with the film Tick, Tick... Boom! Additionally, he was working on the music for Disney’s Encanto at the time, which ultimately yielded the global phenomenon "We Don't Talk About Bruno." The sheer volume and complexity of these projects meant that when the Moana 2 opportunity arose, he simply did not have the capacity to take it on. He explicitly mentioned that "there was never an opportunity to be on Moana 2."
A Story of Support, Not Replacement
Despite not being the songwriter, Miranda has been a vocal supporter of the new creative team and the film’s success. He has publicly championed Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, emphasizing his excitement for their work and defending the sequel’s soundtrack against any criticism comparing it unfavorably to the original.
His support highlights a key aspect of the creative community at Disney: a focus on empowering new talent. Miranda's previous work on Moana and Encanto has cemented his place in Disney history, and his blessing of the new songwriters demonstrates a passing of the torch, ensuring the Moana franchise continues to thrive musically.
The list of relevant entities involved in the Moana musical universe now includes:
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (Original Songwriter)
- Abigail Barlow (Moana 2 Songwriter)
- Emily Bear (Moana 2 Songwriter)
- Mark Mancina (Composer, both films)
- Opetaia Foaʻi (Co-Songwriter/Composer, both films)
- Auliʻi Cravalho (Voice of Moana)
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Voice of Maui)
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Hamilton and In the Heights (Key Miranda projects)
- Encanto (Miranda's subsequent Disney project)
- The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical (Barlow & Bear’s breakout work)
- Oceania and Polynesian Culture (Thematic foundation)
In conclusion, while Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical genius defined the first Moana film, his absence from the sequel was an understandable consequence of his overwhelming schedule. His departure opened the door for Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear to make history, injecting new life and a contemporary sound into the beloved franchise, all with Miranda’s enthusiastic support.
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