MANILA – Actor Dwayne Johnson has confirmed that a third animated installment of Disney’s “Moana” franchise is in development.

Johnson made the announcement while promoting the upcoming live-action adaptation of the original “Moana” film in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Yes, we have talked about ‘Moana 3,’ yes,” Johnson said. “But first, live-action ‘Moana,’ we’ll let that come out first. We have [the] amazing Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have been our writers … they will pen ‘Moana 3.’”

Johnson voices the demigod Maui in the animated films and will reprise the role in the live-action remake.

Jared Bush wrote the screenplays for the first two animated movies as well as the live-action adaptation, while Dana Ledoux Miller co-wrote the sequel and the upcoming remake.

No plot details for the third film have been announced, although Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho, who voices Moana in the animated films, are expected to return.

Released in 2016, the original “Moana” became one of Disney’s successful animated features and gained a wider audience through Disney+.

Its planned animated series was later reworked into a theatrical sequel, which went on to surpass the original film’s global box office earnings in 2024.

Johnson will again portray Maui in the live-action adaptation, which is scheduled for release next week, alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana.