Mark Mancina Discusses Elevating the Music in Moana 2 Compared to the Original Movie

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Moana 2.Moana 2 has emerged as a major box office hit after a unique evolution that began as a concept for a television series. Set a few years post the events of the original Moana, the film showcases the titular character in a more mature light, embarking on a journey to connect diverse communities across the ocean. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprise their roles as Moana and the demigod Maui, surrounded by both new and returning cast members.

Mark Mancina, the composer behind the original score of Moana, returns to enhance the sequel with a rich, emotionally resonant soundtrack. Mancina, known for his work on films like Tarzan, Twister, and Speed, has collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda in the past, co-writing songs for Mufasa: The Lion King. For Moana 2, he aimed to elevate his initial work to suit the more mature themes present in Moana’s character development.

Mark Mancina Discusses Moana 2’s Journey from TV Series to Film

“They Rewrote The Entire Thing”

Moana looking at a broken pot in Moana 2 — Image via Disney

ScreenRant: I know this started as a TV show and found its way to film. I’m curious about your involvement during the TV series stage and whether you had to adapt significantly as the project transitioned into a movie.

Mark Mancina: Indeed, considerable changes occurred. Some of the music composed for the TV series, designed with different narratives in mind, eventually evolved into the film’s score. They did not merely adapt the TV series storyline but rather rewrote it comprehensively.

Out of the songs created initially, only “We’re Back” , the opening number, remained intact. Although we produced a few other tracks, such as “Goat” and “Two Pieces of Me” , they were ultimately abandoned due to misalignment with the revised storyline. Despite being nearly finished, they may see the light of day in another form eventually.

Was the overall narrative altered significantly? Did it still involve her journey to Motufetū to unite people?

Mark Mancina: While that concept was still present, the motivations driving it changed drastically. The original TV series had the luxury of time to explore characters and engage in lighter narratives without rushing to the main plot, which felt less developed.

When the transition to a film was decided last year, I anticipated having a script in a few weeks, just to find out we didn’t receive the movie script until May. This left us with only five months to complete the work, creating a very tight timeline.

Mancina on Evolving the Music of Moana 2

Aiming for a “More Sophisticated” Sound

Moana and her little sister, Simea, in Moana 2.

As Moana has matured, how did this influence your approach to the film’s score compared to the original?

Mark Mancina: It played a major role. My focus was to craft a more refined and sophisticated score to mirror her development. Having previously worked on Moana’s first score, I was equipped to elevate the combination of instruments and overall sonic depth.

What aspects contributed to making the score sound “more grown-up”? Was it mainly orchestration?

Mark Mancina: Precisely. The orchestration feels stronger and less cluttered. I adapted the thematic material to be more complex and mature. For instance, although “How Far I’ll Go” featured prominently in the first film, this time I introduced Motufetū’s unique theme, culminating in a separate piece on the soundtrack.

Comparing Collaborations with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Moana 2’s Songwriters

“I Really Felt Like We Accomplished Something Great”

Actress Afhimai Fraser as Matangi in Moana 2.

How does your collaboration with songwriters Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow compare to working with Lin-Manuel Miranda?

Mark Mancina: Emily is an exceptional keyboardist. Lin’s demos are typically straightforward, providing a solid foundation to work from. In contrast, Emily and Abigail’s compositions are intricate, featuring many chord changes and modulations, reflecting a more sophisticated style even while integrating Pacific Island elements. This complexity posed challenges, but their talent and teamwork made the collaboration enjoyable.

What level of effort goes into ensuring cohesiveness between the songs and the score?

Mark Mancina: Achieving that cohesiveness has always been central to my work, dating back to my first projects. It was essential for the music to resonate from the same creative core. Though it was more challenging this time, we ensured that signature elements, like the different percussion styles, were consistently applied throughout to unify the auditory landscape.

Experience Working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

“He’s Amazing”

Maui stands with a bladed weapon in front of a purple orb in Moana 2

Were you involved in the actors’ vocal tracking sessions?

Mark Mancina: Occasionally, yes. Typically, the director or producer leads those sessions. In this case, Jared Bush had a strong vision for how the vocal performances should unfold. My understanding of the storyline evolved throughout the process, making it challenging for my involvement to align completely.

What is Dwayne Johnson like in the vocal booth?

Mark Mancina: He’s fantastic! He approaches singing with the same energy as acting, though he tends to view himself as more of an actor than a singer. His enthusiasm is contagious, making the sessions lively and engaging.

“There Was A Lot of Scrutiny” Says Mancina

Acknowledging the Pressure of the Sequel

Moana with her ancestor Tautai Vasa as a whale in Moana 2.

Was there a specific sequence that felt particularly challenging or rewarding due to the collaboration with the directors?

Mark Mancina: The entire project felt intense and pressured. After the disappointing performance of Wish, Disney had high stakes for this sequel. One notable moment was when Maui raises the island; the music during this scene was dynamic and included many vocal elements that were ultimately reduced, due to concerns about its intensity for younger audiences. I believe children today handle far scarier material, but I’m very proud of that work.

The underwater sequence, crafted with Marlon’s skill, turned out atmospheric and rich, boasting unique guitar sounds developed in my studio that I particularly enjoyed.

“I Think They’re Really Good”: Mancina Previews Mufasa: The Lion King Songs

Reuniting with Lin-Manuel Miranda for the Prequel

Mufasa cuddling with his parents in Mufasa The Lion King

Mark Mancina: As of now, I haven’t seen the final cut of the movie. The songs were completed a year ago. While I was not involved in the score, I am confident in the quality of the songs I co-wrote with Lin. They may not reach the heights of “Circle of Life,” but I believe they’re catchy and strong. Critics may have perceived Lin’s absence from Moana 2 negatively, but it provides a refreshing opportunity for his contributions to Mufasa.

Exciting Developments: The Moana Live-Action Remake

“I Think It Could Be Really Great”

With the live-action adaptation of Moana on the horizon, what are your expectations regarding the music and project as a whole?

Mark Mancina: I’m officially onboard for the project. So far, I have delivered basic tracks for the songs to facilitate filming. I expect the essence of the animated film to remain, while I aim to refine and personalize the musical elements further. With Opetaia’s expertise and the director from Hamilton involved, I see a promising opportunity for collaboration. Dwayne’s role as producer adds to my excitement, and I’m hopeful for what’s to come.

Will there be new songs introduced in the live-action version?

Mark Mancina: It’s uncertain at this point. While the core songs will likely remain, it’s possible that new tracks might be integrated at some stage. We haven’t composed anything new yet, but that could change.

Overview of Moana 2

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents “Moana 2” , an epic animated musical that reunites Moana (Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years later for a transformative voyage with an unexpected crew. Responding to an urgent call from her ancestors, Moana embarks on an adventure through the far seas of Oceania, navigating treacherous and uncharted waters like never before.