Eight years after the release of Moana, Disney is back with the highly anticipated sequel, Moana 2, which promises another adventure that takes viewers on a path of self-discovery. The film takes place in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, where a young woman named Moana embarks on an adventure to save her people. Beyond the tranquil shores of her island home, she meets the charismatic demi-god Maui, voiced by the iconic Dwayne Johnson. Their adventure, filled with mythical creatures and breathtaking landscapes, is more than just a treasure hunt; it’s a profound exploration of self-discovery, courage, and the importance of asking for help.

Speaking about his character and its complexities, Dwayne Johnson said, “The idea of ​​asking for help is truly a superpower. To me, masculinity isn’t about being tough. It’s not about being a badass. Powerful masculinity means having the confidence to look inside yourself and say, “This is what I’m feeling, and it’s OK. This is my chest. I’ll gladly open it up to someone who can help me.”

Johnson’s personal experiences have shaped his understanding of this message. Growing up as an only child and facing the pressures of professional wrestling, he learned to keep his emotions bottled up. However, after losing several friends to suicide, he realized the power of vulnerability. “When I got to Maui, I thought, ‘OK, I know who this is’,” he said, “this guy, who is very presentable, who puts on a show, who loves to hold court, sing and dance, and make people feel good; but there’s a lot that’s brewing deep down. Eventually, he has to struggle because it’s like a ball that you’re holding underwater. Eventually, you have to let go of the ball, and it will explode.”

By discussing these issues and representing them through Maui, Johnson hopes to inspire others to seek help when they need it. “This is an important moment for people to see that you can be strong, you can be grown-up, you can be independent, but it’s okay to ask for help,” he shared. “When you finally ask for help, the universe and your loved ones are there to help you halfway. Even the strongest people need help.”

Sharing her deep connection with her first role, actor Auli’i Cravalho, the voice behind Moana, said in a recent interview, “Moana and I have been on similar journeys,” the Hawaii native noted. “In that first movie, I was so excited to go beyond the reef and fly to Burbank, California. I had never been to Burbank, and it was the most amazing thing ever. Moana was also taking her first steps on a canoe and feeling what it was like to leave your home. She and I have both felt the growing pains of leaving home and the big celebration of coming back and seeing how our families have changed. I still see a lot of myself in her strengths and weaknesses.”

Dwayne Johnson also sees Moana and Cravalho as integral to each other. He said, “She’s the anchor of our movie and embodies a lot of the elements of our movie.”

Disney’s animated musical adventure Moana created a stir across the world upon its release in 2016. The film was critically acclaimed for its stunning visuals and coming-of-age story as well as sensational music, resulting in several awards including wins at the Billboard and Grammy Awards. Moana 2 will release in India on November 29.