Moana & Maui's Relationship Explained

Co-director David Derrick Jr. and Moana 2 star Auli'i Cravalho discuss how the connection between Moana and Maui is different from the first film. Dwayne Johnson plays Maui, a 1,000-year-old demigod who turned Te Fifi into the malevolent Te Ka after stealing her love. In Moana, the title character sets out to locate Maui and persuades him to accompany her in her attempt to heal Te Fiti's heart. In Moana 2, the two will rejoin on the island of Montufetu for a new journey aimed at lifting the curse of the god Nalo.

In their interview with Screen Rant, Cravalho and Derrick discuss how the relationship between Moana and Maui has evolved since the first film. According to the filmmaker, Maui has "a vulnerability" because Moana is the only person he cares about, and their relationship will "grow" in Moana 2. Although their relationship was "more hierarchical" in Moana, Cravalho continues, the sequel portrays them as "peers" who "respect each other." See what they had to say below:

David Derrick Jr.: Maui has a vulnerability since he cares for Moana and has never genuinely cared for anyone else. The development of their relationship is what I adore. Maui has to give Moana a pep talk at one point, and it's in a fantastic song. "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?" And in reality, Maui is repaying Moana for the kindness she showed him in the first film.

Auli'i Cravalho: Because Maui is a demigod, I think their connection was a little more hierarchical in the first movie. However, they seem to be peers this time. They regard one another with respect. While Maui views Moana as a Tautai, a skilled navigator who can compete with her, Moana still views Maui as a mentor.

Maui is lifted out of a rut by Moana in the first movie. And this movie is very different. They have a really close friendship.

What This Means For Moana 2

The sequel, which takes place three years after the events of the original film, brings Moana and Maui together for a fresh journey. A more mature Moana and a whole crew that will go on the new journey with her and Maui have been hinted to in the Moana 2 trailer. The remarks made by Cravalho and Derrick hint to a new dynamic between the main characters that might reveal previously hidden facets of them. However, the foundation of their friendship and mentorship will continue to be love, care, and respect.

Along the road, Moana and Maui will encounter some intriguing antagonists. The new enemy Matangi, who is supposedly the complete antithesis of Moana, has already been the subject of Disney hype. As their positions are flipped in the sequel, with Maui assisting Moana in gaining confidence, this also implies that the title heroine may face a difficult challenge akin to the one Maui faced. Maui had a personal adventure in Moana. When Moana discovered him, he was in poor health, and their adventure together enabled Maui to overcome his shyness.

Our Interpretation on the Tales of Moana and Maui in Moana 2

Fans will soon be able to revisit the world of Moana and see what the ocean has in store for both characters as Moana 2 opens in theaters on November 27 and will be available on Disney+ shortly after. It is thrilling to anticipate how Moana and Maui's romance will develop. In the first film, Moana was about sixteen years old. In Moana 2, she will be an adult since the sequel takes place three years after the first movie.

Meanwhile, Maui has been spending more time with his humanity. Over time, his relationship with Moana also softens him. In Moana 2, Moana and Maui's relationship may appear drastically different due to maturity on both sides. Seeing what they have done thus far and how that has affected their relationship will also be entertaining. This follow-up seems ready to provide something both familiar and novel.