Lin-Manuel Miranda was noticeably absent from Moana 2. Miranda, who received an Oscar nomination for the song “How Far I’ll Go” in Moana, did not work on the music for the sequel. Instead, Miranda was the composer and lyricist on Mufasa: The Lion King.

Lin-Manuel Miranda explains his absence from Moana 2, praises new composers, and discusses creating music for Mufasa.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is opening up about why he didn’t return for Moana 2. Miranda, who wrote the music for 2016’s Moana and received an Oscar nomination for the song “How Far I’ll Go,” recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his latest work on Mufasa: The Lion King alongside the film’s director Barry Jenkins.

He told PEOPLE that he's “really proud" of 'Moana 2' composers Opetaia Foa'i, Mark Mancina, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear

In a new interview, Lin-Manuel Miranda shared why he didn't return for the sequel, despite writing award-winning songs for Disney's 2016 animated hit.

Kinged out” until he got in contact with director Barry Jenkins and learned that the film was a completely different concept. Plus, at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King he shares what it was like to almost be competing with himself and work with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Amid the divisive audience response to the Moana 2 soundtrack, Lin-Manuel Miranda has now explained his absence from the sequel in a new interview.

After his work on the first movie earned him Oscars attention, Lin-Manuel Miranda didn’t return for Disney’s Moana 2, and he now explains why.