Which songwriter returned for the 2026 live-action Moana after missing Moana 2?

Lin-Manuel Miranda returned for the 2026 live-action *Moana* after not contributing songs to *Moana 2*.

Miranda wrote the original film’s songs, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “You’re Welcome,” and “Shiny,” alongside Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina. His work helped give the 2016 film its distinctive blend of contemporary musical theatre and Pacific-inspired musical elements.

For *Moana 2*, the songwriting team changed because the project developed from a planned Disney+ series into a feature film. Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear wrote the sequel’s songs, while Miranda was not involved as its songwriter. That absence makes his producer credit on the live-action remake a notable return.

The remake retains the original story and musical identity while reinterpreting the characters with live-action performers and visual effects. Miranda is a producer on the 2026 film, not its director or lead actor; Thomas Kail directs, and Catherine Lagaʻaia plays Moana. A common mix-up is treating his absence from the sequel as a permanent departure from the franchise.