Lin-Manuel Miranda Wrote New Song for Live-Action MOANA Titled "Along the Way" Featuring Both Moana Actresses

Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda has been involved with making the music in the Disney hit Moana and all its iterations since the first film was released in 2016.

Now, as we head toward the live-action version of the movie, set to be released in just a few weeks, it’s been revealed that Miranda has penned a new original song for the film, titled “Along The Way,” with both Moana actresses leading the vocals.

The song is performed by Catherine Laga‘aia, who portrays Moana in the upcoming film; Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui; and Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2.

Miranda said, “It was such a joy to drop back into the world of Moana again and write ‘Along The Way.’ Auliʻi and Catherine’s voices blend so beautifully, and writing for Dwayne as Maui is just pure fun. I’m grateful that we were able to create something special for this brand-new version of our wayfinder’s story.”

In a featurette, Johnson said, “We all agreed that Lin-Manuel Miranda should write one more song.” Laga‘aia explained that the song is “the perfect symbolism for this movie. Dwaye and Auli’i sing about finding me along the way, and our journey’s colliding.”

Miranda said, “What’s really wonderful is Auli’i is a producer on this film. So we thought, what if there’s a musical conversation between Auli’i Moana and Katie’s Moana? That became the idea for the song.”

Johnson added that the song was special to him because “it’s our OG Moana and your live-action Moana coming together, and then it’s your boy coming in.”

The film, which opens on July 10th, follows an adventurous teenager named Moana as she embarks on a quest to save her village on the island of Motunui. The live-action adaptation features music by Mark Mancina, Miranda and Opetaia Foa’i; Mancina returned to score the film.

You can listen to “Along the Way” now available on Spotify, and the rest of the soundtrack when it’s released on June 26th.

via: Variety