‘Moana’: Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing the Song ‘Along The Way’ in a Week and Being in the Oscar Race With Taylor Swift

A little over a decade ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda was still performing nightly on Broadway in "Hamilton" while simultaneously composing music for Disney's animated feature "Moana." That film, released in 2016, went on to gross over $643 million globally, and its 2024 sequel surpassed $1 billion at the worldwide box office. This weekend, a live-action adaptation arrives in theaters, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui and Catherine Laga'aia stepping into the title role. Like its animated predecessor, the story follows Moana as she works to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her village of Motunui, with Maui accompanying her on the journey. Miranda, who won a Grammy for his work on the original soundtrack, returns not only to refine existing musical elements but also to contribute a brand-new song called "Along The Way."

In a recent interview, Miranda discussed his return to the franchise and his collaboration with longtime friend Tommy Kail, who makes his feature film directorial debut with this project. "I hoped I'd be alive for the live-action 'Moana,'" Miranda joked. He revealed that Kail's involvement with the franchise actually began in 2017, when Miranda needed help directing the Oscar performance of "How Far I'll Go." "I was in London, learning to dance like a lamplighter for 'Mary Poppins Returns,' so they hired Tommy to write an intro for Auli'i [Cravalho] at the ceremony," Miranda explained. "That was his first time working with her, and she delivered it beautifully. I never imagined that circle would close with him directing the live-action film." Miranda added that knowing Kail was at the helm was a huge relief: "I can't think of anyone more poised, calm, and qualified to direct a movie of this size." Kail, known for his Tony-winning work on "Hamilton" and "In the Heights," brings extensive theatrical experience to his first feature film.

The new song "Along The Way" didn't exist during principal photography. "We went into production with the existing songs," Miranda noted. "I made small tweaks—improving 'Shiny's rhymes, extending the rap outro for 'You're Welcome'—just little things that always bothered me." The inspiration for the new track came during one of Auli'i Cravalho's visits to set. "Tommy said, 'There's one other person who knows what Katie's going through, and it's Auli'i. Maybe this is an opportunity for a passing of the torch.' I said, 'Stop talking. That's the idea.' I hung up Zoom and started writing immediately." The song, performed by Cravalho in the film, serves as a moment of sisterhood and ancestral guidance between the original and new Moana. Interestingly, audiences will hear the melody woven into the film's score before the credits roll, as composer Opetaia Foa'i has translated and reorchestrated it in Tokelauan. "Opetaia is the secret sauce," Miranda emphasized. "They could make 'Moanas' 4, 5, and 6 without me, as long as they have him to keep the music authentic to the culture."

Miranda also reflected on the broader significance of this live-action adaptation. "The difference between animated and live-action is that hundreds of Pacific Islanders are on that screen, representing their culture and heritage proudly," he said. "The only comparable experience was making 'In the Heights.' When they yelled 'cut,' people were still dancing and singing. The cast was so proud to be part of something that represents them on a global stage." He praised Kail's commitment to authentic casting across all departments. As for the timing of the project so soon after the animated original, Miranda noted that "Moana" has become a classic in record time because of the deep connection audiences feel to it. "I don't think a week goes by without someone sending me their kids singing 'Moana' or a school production," he said. Looking ahead, Miranda is already immersed in post-production on his next directorial project, an a cappella musical called "Octet," which features elite actor-singers who serve as both cast and orchestra. "All you want when you're making something is to be able to make another thing," he concluded.