Maui (/maʊwiː/) is a fictional character from the 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.
Development
Maui is primarily based on Māui in Hawaiian mythology.[1] The character's backstory, however, was simplified, and made him 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, and will physically portray the character in the live-action remake.
On December 2, 2014, it was announced that Dwayne Johnson was in talks to voice Maui,[6] and was excited to be cast.[7] For his role, Johnson was paid $21 million.[8]
Portrayal
In April 2023, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Walt Disney Pictures was developing a live-action adaptation of Moana, with Dwayne Johnson set to reprise his role as Maui along with a new supporting cast.[9] On the announcement, Johnson remarked "I'm deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me."[10]
In Moana, Maui is a legend who owns a massively huge fish hook allowing him to shape-shift into different animals, and stole the heart of Te Fiti, causing the ocean to suffer. Moana convinces Maui to help her restore the heart of Te Fiti.[11]
Once Upon a Studio (2023)
Maui appears alongside other Disney characters in the 2023 short film Once Upon a Studio, in which Dwayne Johnson reprises his role.[12]
Los Angeles Times called Maui a "boisterous agent of show-stopping supernatural chaos".[14]The Oklahoman wrote that Maui's hand-drawn tattoos "[stole] the show".[15]
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