Why Maui Isn’t In Moana 2 As Much As He Was In The First Film

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Moana 2.

One of Moana 2The most significant difference from its predecessor is that it features less of the fan-favorite shape-shifting demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Despite the bond they formed and the adventure they had together in the previous film, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) and Maui are not together when the sequel begins. Moana has returned home to tell her people about her latest discovery and embark on a new journey while Mau is on his own mission in a new man’s lair. Moana 2 character, Matangi (Awhimai Fraser).

After being captured by Matangi Maui spends a significant part of the story as a prisoner. Meanwhile, Moana’s story continues for a while without Maui as she makes preparations for her trip and sails across the ocean with her pet rooster, Heihei (Alan Tudyk), her pig, Pua, and her new human companions, Moni ( Hualālai Chung). , Loto (Rose Matafeo) and Kele (David Fane). Only after Moana and her crew cross paths with Maui does he become a consistent part of the story, including his central role in Moana 2is ending.

Moana’s adventure in Moana 2 is more personal and doesn’t involve Maui

Maui and Moana initially have different priorities in the sequel

Moana 2 largely revolves around the titular hero’s journey as a trailblazer. As your mission is to find the hidden island of Motufetu to reconnect humans across the ocean, Maui initially has no reason to get involved in Moana’s search. Moana’s concern is to reconnect her people with other humans, while Maui’s concern is to break the curse of the god Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i), who does not appear until Moana 2mid-credits scene. It takes time for Moana and Maui to find each other and realize that their respective missions are aligned.

Having less emphasis on Maui at the beginning of the film also allows for more focus on Moana. As charming as the dynamic between her and Maui can be, her character sometimes threatens to overshadow it. This problem is partially resolved by sidelining Maui while exploring who Moana is as a discoverer, a sister, a daughter, and as the leader of her new crew. The sequel undoubtedly feels like a more personal story because of this approach that puts more focus on Moana.

Moana has a new team that puts the focus on humans

Moni, Loto and Kele are important characters in Moana 2

In the first film, Moana travels with just Maui and Heihei. Moni, Loto and Kele make sure Moana travels with other humans this time, not to mention the addition of Pau. Although these human characters are briefly introduced before the journey begins, the story still needs time to develop each of them individually and as a team, including Moni’s artistic talents and obsession with Maui, Loto’s resourcefulness and mean-spirited personality. Kele.

If Mau had been part of the crew from the beginning, he would have overshadowed Moni, Loto and Kelewhich would have prevented them from having the opportunity to become more developed. This is essentially what happens when Moana and Maui reunite, and it would have happened much sooner if the demigod had been there the whole time. When Motufetu is finally found and lifted from the ocean, it is a more meaningful moment because humans like Moni, Loto, and Kele are there to witness it after facing many harrowing obstacles throughout the story.

Moana 2 was originally a Disney+ TV series turned into a movie

This happened during Bob Iger’s current tenure as CEO of Disney

Moana 2 originally it would be a Moana Disney+ series. It was being developed as a limited television series that would act as a sequel to the original film. After Bob Iger became CEO of Disney again, the decision was made to rework the series as a film. Since so much Moana 2The story and animation of are based on the Disney+ series plan, Presumably Maui didn’t appear until later episodeswith previous episodes focusing more on Moana and the new human characters.

However, since the sequel was reworked as a theatrical feature, changes were likely made to make Maui a more prominent part of the story. Seeing Maui entering Matangi’s lair, being captured, and his attempts to escape may be scenes that were added to increase his role in the story, when in the series he may not have been seen until Moana encounters him during her trip. . The exact nature of Maui’s role in the planned Disney+ series is unknown, but it likely contributed to his somewhat diminished role in Moana 2.