Walt disney animasi announces South Pacific-set ‘Moana’ for 2016 

Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

8 'Game of Thrones' flashbacks book fans are dying to see in Season 5

Get a detailed look at The Vision in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' concept art

Off the Carpet: So let's talk about that crowded Best Actor Oscar race

‘LOTR’ star will sing ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ credits song

'The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies' posters are basically fan fiction made real

Exclusive Interviews Movie Trailers and Clips Firewall & Iceberg HitFix Originals The Snap Television Music Six Second Reviews

Motion Captured In Contention 4 Quadrant Reviews Trailers In Theaters On Demand DVDs Film Nerd 2.0 Six Second Reviews

What's Alan Watching The Fien Print TV Tattle Recaps TV Boards Firewall & Iceberg Reality TV Fall TV Guide Six Second Reviews

The Beat Goes On Immaculate Noise Available Albums Popular Artists Music Boards CulturePop

Riot Home Riot Videos Photos and Gifs Comedians Oddities Homemade Content The Snap

Awards Home In Contention The Contenders The Circuit HitFix Oscar Picks

HeroFix Home Comic Book Previews HeroFix Videos Set Visits

What's Alan Watching Motion Captured In Contention TV Tattle Reality TV Six Second Reviews Get News Alerts Fall TV

Walt Disney Animation announces South Pacific-set ‘Moana’ for 2016

CG adventure will mark the studio’s 56th feature.

With only a few weeks left before Walt Disney Animation’s Marvel Comics adaptation “Big Hero 6” hits theaters, the studio has added another feature to its pipeline. The Mouse House revealed plans Monday for “Moana,” a CG-animated comedy-adventure about “a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors\' quest.”

”Moana” is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, best known for Disney staples like “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin.” The directing duo’s last feature was 2009’s severely under-appreciated ”The Princess and the Frog.” (Parents, are we showing this one to our kids? Get on that!). “Moana” is expected to sail into theaters in late 2016.

Disney’s press release explains that “Moana” is set in the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania. In search of a fabled island, Moana “teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.”

"Creating ‘Moana’ is one of the great thrills of our career,” said Clements in a statement. “It’s a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceania." If it’s as sweeping as “Treasure Planet” (another Clements gem!), count me in.

If John Musker is to be believed, “Moana” should continue Disney’s re-invention of the "Princess" brand that turned 2013’s “Frozen” into the fifth highest grossing movie of all time, “Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself,” the director said in the same statement. “She\'s the kind of character we all root for, and we can\'t wait to introduce her to audiences.”

"Moana" joins another Walt Disney Animated film, "Zootopia," Pixar\'s "Finding Dory," and an untitled "Star Wars" standalone film on Walt Disney Pictures\' 2016 slate.

Here\'s the full concept art that arrived with the announcement:

Get the latest In Contention news delivered to your inbox as it happens.

By clicking on the above, you understand and agree with our privacy policy.

We will never share your email address. See our privacy policy.

In Contention, Moana, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Ron Clement, John Musker

'LOTR' star to sing Hobbit 3 credits song

Matt Patches is a writer and reporter based in New York. His work has appeared on Grantland, New York Magazine's Vulture, VanityFair.com, and The Hollywood Reporter. He thinks Groundhog Day is perfect.

Keep up with Matt Patches by signing up for the newsletter

Watch a sneak peek of Disney's gorgeous, Best Animated Short contender, 'Feast'

Disney animation shocks and delights Annecy crowd with innovative new Mickey Mouse cartoon

Lea Salonga, the voice of Princess Jasmine, still rocks her song after 20 years

After a year hiatus, Disney remix soundsmith Pogo returns with 'The Trouble'

Login or create a HitFix account Login Signup

About Us In the News Advertise Partner Careers Contact Us Terms of Use

© 2014 HitFix, Inc. All rights reserved