Moana 2 Songwriter Heartbroken Over Cut Song That Changed the Whole Movie

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Songwriter Emily Bear shares an interesting tidbit about a substantial tune that was initially intended for ‘Moana 2’, but ultimately removed from the film. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, this Disney animated sequel made its theater debut last November, further exploring the tales of the main characters voiced by Auli’i Cravalho (Moana) and Dwayne Johnson (Maui). The narrative of ‘Moana 2’ finds the duo embarking on a perilous voyage through the mysterious, ancient waters of Oceania, accompanied by numerous melodies as they sail.

During a chat with Owen Danoff from ScreenRant on the ASCAP Screen Music Awards red carpet, Bear shared an intriguing detail. He mentioned that there was a strong song left out of Moana 2. The composer explained that this song, initially known as “Two Pieces,” would have been the film’s main ballad musical number.

Among all the songs, I’m particularly saddened about one titled “Two Pieces.” In the film, it served as the main ballad, while our most significant ballad, “Beyond,” was featured at the movie’s conclusion. Contrarily, “Two Pieces” – a name we couldn’t even settle on – was used at the start of the movie. This song was part of the production for approximately two and a half years only to be removed quite late in the process.

The movie underwent a change from streaming to theaters, leading to significant alterations in the storyline. Consequently, the film titled “Two Pieces” no longer aligned with the revised concept.

Initially, the character was part of the story, but as it progressed and took unexpected turns, much like in animation, there came a time following one of the screenings where everyone present shared a moment of realization: “This plotline no longer aligns with what we intended.” The reasoning behind her actions shifted, which rendered the central song inappropriate. We were aware of her final decision, and that song was about her being undecided between these two choices.

What This Means For Moana 2

The Sequel’s Change From TV Show To Movie Explained

Back in 2016, “Moana” was a successful movie, but its popularity soared on Disney+. In fact, it remains the most-streamed film on the platform to date. In late 2020, it was announced that the Moana franchise would expand with a streaming TV series. However, in early 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger disclosed that this series was being transformed into a theatrical feature film instead. This change resulted in significant alterations to the storyline, as composer Mark Mancina shared with ScreenRant: “They completely rewrote the entire thing.

In Bear’s account, this transformation in the tale significantly altered the melodies. The initial storyline, “Two Pieces,” would have shed light on Moana’s dilemma regarding her voyage, but the revised narrative portrays her as more determined. Unlike the original, “Moana 2” features nine full songs, with additional musical sequences peppered throughout the movie. “Beyond” is played earlier in Moana’s journey, and it was also a significant promotional song for the film. Interestingly, there exists a standalone end-credits version of “Beyond,” which was unveiled to the public several weeks prior to the film’s premiere.

Our Take On Moana 2’s Cut Song

Could It Ever See The Light Of Day?

The overall response towards Moana 2 and its songs was overwhelmingly favorable among viewers. With an 86% Popcornmeter rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a staggering $1.059 billion earnings at the box office, it’s clear that the film was well-received. However, it would be intriguing to explore “Two Pieces” to gain insights into what Moana’s tale might have evolved into before its transition from a series to a movie.

It seems unlikely that the sequel to “Moana,” specifically the song “Two Pieces,” will be publicly released because it doesn’t align with the overall narrative and character development of the movie. As for a potential third installment, there’s been no official word yet. However, if the story and characters allow, the song could potentially find a new place in the hypothetical “Moana 3.” For now, audiences are enjoying the version of “Moana 2” that has been released.

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2025-05-02 16:09