Maui (Moana)

Maui (/maʊwiː/) is a fictional character from Walt Disney Animation Studios' 56th animated film, Moana. Created by directors Ron Clements and John Musker, and voiced by Dwayne Johnson, Maui is loosely based on Māui from Hawaiian mythology. In the film, Maui is depicted as a demigod who was abandoned by his parents and eventually adopted by the gods.

Maui
Moana character
First appearanceMoana (2016)
Created byRon Clements
John Musker
Based onMāui
Voiced by
In-universe information
SpeciesDemigod (formerly human)
Title
  • Shapeshifter
  • Demigod of the Wind and Sea
  • Hero of Men and Women
WeaponFish hook
FamilyGods (adoptive family)
NationalityPolynesian

Development

Maui is primarily based on Māui in Hawaiian mythology.[1] Maui's backstory, however, was simplified so that he was an orphan.[2]

Eric Goldberg worked on the hand-drawn animation used to depict Maui's living tattoos.[3][4] During early development, the filmmakers considered the possibility of making the film with hand-drawn traditional animation, but only a few early animation tests were made in that style. In the final cut, only Maui's tattoos are hand-drawn.[5]

Voice
Maui is voiced by Dwayne Johnson in the English version of Moana

On December 2, 2014, it was announced that Dwayne Johnson was in talks to voice Maui in Disney film Moana.[6] A day later, Johnson tweeted that he was going to voice the character.[7] Johnson stated that he first got the news of being the cast in the movie when he was going to China to promote a movie. Johnson's agent told him before he got on the plane. Johnson said hearing the news was "awesome".[8] For his role, Johnson was paid $21 million.[9]

Appearances

Moana
Main article: Moana (2016 film)

In Moana, Maui is known as a legend who owns a massively huge fish hook allowing him to shape-shift into different animals like lions and llama's, and stole the heart of Te Fiti, causing the ocean to suffer. Moana later convinces Maui to help her restore the heart of Te Fiti. Maui claims that he needs his fish hook to restore the heart resulting in Moana and Maui meeting Tamatoa, a crab obsessed with shiny things. After successfully retrieving the fish hook, Maui and Moana set off to restore the heart. During their journey, Maui tells Moana about his past. He says that he was abandoned by his parents and adopted by the gods. When Moana and Maui find Te Ka, a spirit risen due to the stealing of the heart of Te Fiti, they fail to get past her and Maui's hook is badly damaged. Upset and let down, Maui leaves Moana. After Moana almost succeeds in getting past Te Ka, Maui rejoins Moana and helps distract Te Ka. Maui later fights Te Ka and destroys his hook. Moana realises that Te Ka is Te Fiti, corrupted without her heart. Moana restores the heart and Te Fiti who gifts Maui with a new fish hook.[10]

Once Upon a Studio

Maui appears alongside other Disney characters in the 2023 short film Once Upon a Studio, in which Dwayne Johnson reprises his role.[11]

Reception

Critical reception

Los Angeles Times called Maui a "boisterous agent of show-stopping supernatural chaos".[12] The Oklahoman wrote that Maui's hand-drawn tattoos "[stole] the show".[13]

References
  1. Forrest, Suse (June 2, 2020). "Is Disney's 'Moana' Based On a True Story?". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. Caldwell, Ellen C. (June 6, 2017). "The Polynesian Origin Myths Behind Disney's Moana". JSTOR Daily. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  3. Madison, Charles (March 1, 2015). "Concept art of Maui, Dwayne Johnson's character in Disney's Moana". filmdivider.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  4. Siegemund-Broka, Austin (June 16, 2015). "Veteran Animator Eric Goldberg Joins USC Film School Faculty". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  5. Busch, Jenna. "D23: Interview with Moana's Dwayne Johnson and the Filmmakers". Welcome to the Legion!. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  6. Ge, Linda (December 2, 2014). "Dwayne Johnson in Talks to Voice Key Role in Disney's 'Moana'". TheWrap. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  7. Dwayne Johnson [@TheRock] (December 3, 2014). "Excited to star as "Maui" in Disney's next big animated musical, MOANA. Incredible story! **clears throat #TimeToSing" (Tweet). Retrieved November 24, 2020 – via Twitter.
  8. Huver, Scott (August 24, 2015). "Dwayne Johnson Was Rocked By His Casting in Disney's Animated 'Moana'". CBR. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  9. Pevens, Lane (October 21, 2020). "Here's How Much Dwayne Johnson Was Paid For 'Moana'". TheThings. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  10. Golder, Andy (October 20, 2020). "I'm Gonna Ask You 20 Questions — All About The Movie "Moana" — And You'd Better Get 'Em Right". BuzzFeed. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  11. Giardina, Carolyn (2023-09-22). "Disney Characters Assemble in 'Once Upon a Studio' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  12. Chang, Justin (November 22, 2016). "Review: Disney's gorgeous 'Moana' offers sweet relief to audiences looking for an escape from everyday reality". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  13. McDonnell, Brandy (November 23, 2016). "Movie review: 'Moana'". Oklahoman.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

Further reading
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.