Lin-Manuel Miranda Explained Why He Wasn’t Invited Back By Disney To Write Music For “Moana 2” Amid Growing Backlash Towards The Soundtrack

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Amid the divisive audience response to the Moana 2 soundtrack, Lin-Manuel Miranda has now explained his absence from the sequel in a new interview.

Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson both returned to voice their iconic characters, but to any eagle-eyed viewers, there was a notable name missing from the credits.

Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson at the Moana 2 premiere in front of a Disney Moana backdrop. One wears a floral dress, and the other a black jacket with floral patterns

Fans of the original will remember that Moana’s unforgettable songs were penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda — who many know as the Broadway legend who gave the world Hamilton and In the Heights.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in a dark suit and tie stands on a blue carpet at an event with "Moana" logos in the background

After Moana 2 was announced in February of this year, it was later revealed that Lin-Manuel would be replaced as songwriter by duo Barlow and Bear, who rose to fame in 2022 as the minds behind The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.

Barlow and Bear holding awards, dressed in elegant evening gowns, at the IndieWire Honors event

“There was never an opportunity to be on Moana 2,” Lin-Manuel said. Explaining that this was due to the movie’s production process, he added that the film “already had their songwriters.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda stands casually beside a sign at a salon dinner event, wearing a gray hoodie, shirt, and dark pants with sneakers

“It didn’t line up that way,” he said. “Moana 2 was already in process as a TV series, with Emily [Bear] and Abigail [Barlow]. So when that decision got made to turn [it] into a movie, they were already, you know. Already cookin’.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda with short hair, wearing a ribbed sweater and microphone, sits on a talk show set, attentively listening

While Moana 2 has had unquestionable success at the box office, some viewers online have had divided opinions — with the sequel only receiving 61% on Rotten Tomatoes as opposed to the 2016 original’s 91%.

Dwayne Johnson stands on a set designed like a tropical island, near a large decorative hook, in front of a "Moana 2" backdrop

And in an interview with Variety, Abigail of Barlow and Bear responded to some of the criticism of the music, saying, “Give it a month, all the kids will be singing it, and you’ll be tired of it.”

Abigain Barlow in a feather-trimmed top and skirt poses at the Grammy Museum

Her response sparked a LOT of discourse amongst viewers. Many were quick to suggest that this mentality was the reason why the sequel’s music may not have lived up to the original songs.

Barlow and Bear sitting on stage, holding microphones. They are wearing feathered outfits and appear to be at a performance or event with a piano in the background

While they were working on Moana 2, Barlow and Bear frequently heard from Lin-Manuel, who was only a “FaceTime call away.”

Barlow and Bear pose together at a "Moana 2" event, wearing elegant black outfits, with Moana character posters in the background

And while speaking to People, Lin-Manuel himself said that he was “really proud” that the duo were working on the sequel alongside composers Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in a formal black jacket with glasses, standing on a red carpet at a media event

You can catch Moana 2 in cinemas nationwide now. If you’ve seen it, LMK your thoughts in the comments.

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