Walt Disney Animation Studios has opened a new studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, that will begin to develop the Moana TV series. Moana is a Disney animated film that released in 2016. The untraditional Disney princess and the mystic setting quickly won over the hearts of viewers. Dwayne Johnson (Maui) added the desired comedic effect through his rapport with Auli'i Cravalho (Moana), further solidifying the film's success. In 2020, Disney announced a Moana TV series for 2023, one of several animated Disney films to receive a TV series for Disney+.
As reported by The Wrap, Disney Animation Studios is expanding with a studio in Vancouver that will develop the Moana series. Moana is just the start for Vancouver's studio, which plans to focus on various long-form series for Disney+. The studio is projected to open in 2022 and is already recruiting talent. Check out Disney Animation Studios' statement below:
Disney Animation is creating more original storytelling for Disney+, expanding into series for the first time in our history with ‘Iwájú,’ ‘Tiana,’ ‘Moana,’ ‘Baymax’ and ‘Zootopia+'. As we continue to grow our original slate of projects, there are more creative, artistic and technological opportunities than at any previous time. With Burbank and Vancouver both home to some of the world’s most talented artists and technicians, we believe the storytelling and visual quality created within each location will meet the incredibly high standards we set for ourselves and audiences have come to expect from Disney Animation.
Meanwhile, kicking off with What If...? Marvel will produce more animated series for Disney+, as well. In fact, Marvel is currently hiring for over 300 positions at the current Burbank studio to increase their internal animation abilities. Disney reiterated that, in addition to the new Vancouver studio, their Burbank studio will be expanding and will remain home of Disney's animated feature films. Overall, Disney is ramping up their animated efforts. With both Marvel and Disney adapting some of their most popular films/stories into TV series for Disney+, the extra labor and resources will be necessary. Disney will also need quite the creative talent to ensure the Moana TV series does justice to the heartwarming and unique original film.
Source: The Wrap