Emily Bear, the talented songwriter behind Moana 2, shared details about a major song titled “Two Pieces” that was ultimately excluded from the film. The sequel to Disney’s hit, directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, initially began as a Disney+ series but made its way to the big screen last November. The animated film continues the adventures of Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, and Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson, as they navigate perilous, forgotten seas in Oceania, with their journey enriched by numerous musical numbers.
During a recent conversation with Owen Danoff from ScreenRant at the ASCAP Screen Music Awards, Bear disclosed details about “Two Pieces,” a powerful ballad intended to be a central piece of Moana 2. According to Bear:
“There was one song, ‘Two Pieces’, that I was particularly sad to see go. It was meant to be the film’s main ballad, taking the spot of ‘Beyond’, which now features towards the film’s conclusion. ‘Two Pieces’ was supposed to open the movie. It stayed in production for over two and a half years before being removed quite late in the process.”
Bear further explained that the film’s transition from a television series to a theatrical release led to significant modifications in the storyline, which eventually made “Two Pieces” irrelevant to the film’s new direction:
“The song was included up until the story underwent substantial revisions, typical in animation. After a particular screening, we realized it no longer made sense. The motivations behind the protagonist’s journey changed, and thus the song, which depicted her indecision, no longer aligned with her clarified intentions in the revised script.”
Implications for Moana 2
Exploring the Shift from Series to Feature Film
Originally a massive success on Disney+ in 2016, Moana gained extraordinary popularity, becoming the most streamed movie on the platform. It was announced in late 2020 that the Moana universe would expand into a TV series. However, by early 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the transformation of this planned series into a theatrical film. This change necessitated a complete rewrite, according to composer Mark Mancina, who told ScreenRant, “They rewrote the entire thing.“
As per Bear, this alteration in the storyline meant adjustments to the musical elements. “Two Pieces” would have shed light on Moana’s internal conflicts regarding her journey, but the new narrative gave her a more decisive role. Moana 2 features nine songs, with other musical sequences embedded throughout the film. “Beyond” now plays earlier in Moana’s quest and was prominently used in the film’s promotional activities, including a special version released for the end credits ahead of the premiere.
The original film’s music will also feature in the forthcoming live-action version of Moana, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui.
Our Perspective on the Omitted Song from Moana 2
Potential for “Two Pieces” to Emerge
Despite the omission of “Two Pieces,” Moana 2 received overwhelmingly positive feedback, boasting an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing over $1 billion. It would be intriguing to hear “Two Pieces” to gain insight into what Moana’s narrative could have been prior to its conversion from a series to a film. Although it’s uncertain whether “Two Pieces” will ever be released, the possibility remains that it might be included in a future sequel, should it align with the evolving storyline and character development. Until any such decision, audiences continue to enjoy the iteration of Moana 2 that reached theaters.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
