Moana 3 (2026)

Moana 3 (2026)


General Information:

  • Director: Jared Bush, Ron Clements, and John Musker (rumored to return)
  • Writers: Jared Bush (who co-wrote the first Moana)
  • Cast:
    • Auli’i Cravalho as Moana
    • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui (returning)
    • Other Voice Cast Members: TBA
  • Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios
  • Release Date: 2026

Plot Overview:

While Disney has yet to officially confirm the plot details for Moana 3, it’s expected to continue the story of Moana and Maui as they navigate new challenges and adventures. Since the first two films established Moana as a strong, determined leader with a deep connection to her Polynesian roots and the ocean, the third installment is likely to build on these themes, exploring her growth as a navigator, leader, and protector of the sea.

The story could take place several years after the events of Moana 2, where the character has continued to grow into her leadership role, guiding her people, and perhaps expanding the world of the film to include new mythical creatures, realms, or conflicts. Maui, the demigod, may also return, possibly seeking redemption or guidance as he and Moana face a new threat or challenge.

There may be a deeper exploration of Moana’s relationship with the sea, her ancestors, and the mythology that the first film introduced. With the ocean as a central theme, Moana 3 could venture into the unknown parts of the ocean or even explore the spiritual connections between Moana’s island and the sea gods and spirits.

Key Highlights:

  1. Moana’s Growth as a Leader
    • Moana 3 will likely focus on Moana’s continued evolution as the leader of her people. After the events of the first two films, she may now be taking on more responsibilities, facing challenges both as a navigator and a ruler. As Moana matures, we can expect a deeper exploration of what it means to be a leader, the pressure of making decisions for her people, and the legacy of her ancestors.
    • Themes of environmental stewardship, responsibility, and balance with nature, especially the ocean, will likely remain central to the story, with Moana learning to strike a balance between her duties as a leader and her own desires for adventure and freedom.
  2. Return of Maui
    • Maui, the shape-shifting demigod voiced by Dwayne Johnson, is expected to return in Moana 3. The film will likely continue his journey of redemption and self-discovery. In the first film, Maui’s selfishness and insecurities were central to his character arc, but by the end, he seemed to have grown. In the sequel, Maui’s relationship with Moana could further develop, possibly as allies and friends, or even as co-leaders in facing an epic new challenge.
    • Given Maui’s affinity for mischief, his return may include some humorous moments, as well as a deeper dive into his backstory, revealing more about the demi-god’s origins and the mythical beings he interacts with.
  3. New Mythologies and Adventures
    • One of the most exciting aspects of Moana 3 will likely be the expansion of the world-building and mythologies introduced in the first film. The vast ocean setting offers endless possibilities for new lands, creatures, and characters that Moana and Maui could encounter.
    • The adventure could take them beyond the familiar Polynesian islands and into uncharted waters, where they might confront new gods, mythical creatures, or rival navigators. Moana’s powers as a navigator could be tested as she explores new parts of the world, and the challenges she faces may be more difficult and magical than ever before.
  4. Environmental and Cultural Themes
    • The Moana franchise has been praised for its respectful depiction of Polynesian culture and its emphasis on the importance of nature, balance, and environmental stewardship. Moana 3 will likely continue this theme, possibly focusing on the idea of sustainability and protecting the ocean and its resources. With global environmental issues on the rise, the film could explore how Moana leads her people in protecting their home, ensuring that the balance between humans and nature is maintained.
    • The inclusion of Polynesian mythology, traditions, and symbolism will likely remain central to the film, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the culture while telling a universal story of courage, leadership, and unity.
  5. Musical Numbers and Original Songs
    • Like its predecessors, Moana 3 will likely feature original songs that will carry the emotional and thematic weight of the film. The music could explore Moana’s internal journey, her growth as a leader, and her relationship with Maui and the ocean.
    • The musical score could feature a mix of heartfelt ballads, adventurous anthems, and vibrant ensemble numbers. Expect a combination of songs that are both personal and universal, capturing the excitement and emotional depth of Moana’s journey.
    • How Far I’ll Go from the first film became iconic, and fans will be eager to see if Moana 3 can match or even surpᴀss this song’s impact with fresh, powerful musical moments.
  6. Family and Friendship Themes
    • Family and friendship will continue to be at the heart of the film. Moana’s bond with her family, especially her grandmother Tala (who was a spiritual guide in the first film), will likely be explored further. The connection between Moana and her ancestors, as well as her relationship with her people, will play a large role in her journey as a leader.
    • Moana’s friendship with Maui, which was one of the highlights of the first film, will likely deepen in Moana 3. The two characters have a unique dynamic, and it will be interesting to see how their evolving friendship and shared experiences drive the plot forward.

Potential Concerns:

  1. Maintaining the Magic of the First Film
    • Moana was a mᴀssive success due to its stunning animation, memorable music, and heartfelt story. Moana 2 continued this momentum, but Moana 3 will face the challenge of maintaining the magic of the original while exploring new territory. The film will need to strike a balance between introducing fresh content and staying true to the core elements that made the first film so beloved.
  2. Expanding the World Without Losing Focus
    • As the Moana universe expands, there’s a risk of diluting the intimate, personal feel of the story. The first film was focused on Moana’s personal journey and her connection with the ocean and her heritage. As the scope of the world expands, it will be important for the filmmakers to keep the focus on Moana’s character development and ensure that her growth as a leader and individual remains central to the story.
  3. The Pressure of Expectations
    • The success of Moana has set a high bar for its sequels. Fans will have high expectations for Moana 3, especially regarding the music, animation, and character arcs. The film will need to live up to the legacy of its predecessors while offering something new and exciting.

Verdict:

Moana 3 (2026) is set to continue the beloved story of Moana and Maui, expanding the world and exploring new adventures, cultures, and mythologies. With a focus on Moana’s growth as a leader, her deepening connection with the ocean, and her evolving relationship with Maui, the film promises to be another emotional, visually stunning, and culturally rich installment in the Moana franchise. With fresh music, a compelling plot, and themes of family, friendship, and environmental stewardship, Moana 3 has the potential to be both a critical and commercial success.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain


Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0
November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

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