Discover a ‘super-fun and quirky’ monster bird in an exclusive scene from ‘Moana 2’
A monstrous bird did not make the final cut for “Moana 2,” but it’s getting a chance to shine on home video.
In Disney’s animated sequel, we see the spirited adventurer Moana (voiced by Auli‘i Cravalho) join forces once more with her demigod companion Maui (Dwayne Johnson) for another thrilling journey, alongside a fresh team to assist her. They encounter several challenges, including a mysterious bat lady named Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) and an enormous clam serving as her lair filled with all sorts of bizarre creatures.
However, one creature didn’t make it into the final movie but is featured in a deleted scene available in the bonus content of the “Moana 2” digital release (set for Tuesday) and the forthcoming Blu-ray/DVD (scheduled for March 18).
YSL News presents an exclusive first look at this clip, showcasing Moana’s new crew of inexperienced sailors, which includes the cantankerous farmer Kele (David Fane), imaginative engineer Loto (Rose Matafeo), and enthusiastic storyteller Moni (Hualālai Chung). After becoming separated from Moana following a boating mishap, they find themselves lost when they confront a giant two-headed bird with odd-looking eyes and two fearsome beaks.
Assistance comes from an unlikely source. The bird begins to make unusual movements and sounds, signaling that it’s performing a mating dance. Their companion rooster Heihei (Alan Tudyk), who also appeared in the first film, starts to mimic the bird with his own ridiculous head movements and feather displays. “Cut it out, that’s gross,” Moni exclaims.
Director David G. Derrick Jr. admits that this “super-fun and weird” scene “ultimately didn’t fit within the overall story.”
“Moana 2,” which hit theaters for the Thanksgiving holiday, turned out to be an unexpected success for Disney. Initially conceived as a Disney+ series before being transformed into a film, the sequel grossed over $1 billion globally and became one of three Disney projects (alongside “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine”) that made it into the top five highest-grossing films of 2024.
