Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Moana 2!Moana 2has given the franchise a replacement for Maui thanks to a surprising twist that could have a major impact on future installments. Dwayne Johnson’s demigod character was a vital part of the original film, joining Auli’i Cravalho’s Moana on her journey to return the heart of Te Fiti. Although he was always second-fiddle to the main hero, the sequel reunites Maui and Moana for another adventure. However, its notable thatMaui has a smaller role inMoana 2than before, and what else transpires could be concerning for his future.
The bulk ofMoana 2’s endingrevolves around Maui helping Moana and her crew fight the storm/lightning god Nalo as they look to raise Motufetū from the ocean and unite people from different islands. This proves to be a difficult task, even resulting in Maui temporarily losing his tattoos and demigod powers. It’s not until after Nalo’s defeat that Maui regains his abilities and tattoos, andMoana 2delivers a massive surprise bymaking Moana a demigod, too. That twist has significant implications for the franchise’s future - including positioning Moana as Maui’s replacement.
Moana 2 Sets Up Moana To Be Maui’s Replacement With Demigod Twist
She’s Beginning Her Own Demigod Adventures
The reveal that Moana is now a demigod afterMoana 2is completely unexpected. The franchise’s hero was previously just a normal human selected to be a Wayfinder and viewed as the future chief of Motunui. After she dies from a lightning strike from Nalo in the sequel, Maui and her ancestors join forces underwater to revive her. It’s at this moment thatMoana transforms from a regular teenage girl to a demigod, as she has the magical tattoos and artifact (her oar) to go along with this new status. The movie leaves the fallout of this forMoana 3.
Every God & Demigod In The Moana Movies
Moana introduced some gods and demigods inspired by Polynesian mythology and history, and now Moana 2 introduces even more of these deities.
When the film leaves Moana, she’s left Motunui again so she can try to find more islanders. She embarks on this mission with her new crew and Maui, signaling that they will still have a connection as the franchise moves forward. It’s plausible that this will even include Maui teaching Moana about what its like to be a demigod and the responsibilities and realities that come along with it. In doing so, he could help train her to be a central demigod in the Polynesian culture, allowing the two to embark on demigod missions together.
However, there is also the reality that theMoanamovies have revolved around a human’s role in the supernatural, mythological, and godly realm to this point. The series has never had to balance having two demigods.Moana’s powers as a demigod are not fully explored inMoana 2, but she should have all the traditional benefits - super strength and near immortality - to go along with her enhanced Wayfinder abilities. The ability for theMoanamovies to dive into demigod storylines through its main character is great for her, but not as much for Maui.
Maui Is Less Important To The Franchise’s Future After Moana 2
Moana Can Be The Main Demigod Now
Moana’s demigod status now makes Maui a bit more of an expendable figurein the franchise’s standing. It’s common for Disney’s animated movies to have someone with powers involved so that the stakes, scale, and third act can go up a notch. That was part of the reason why it made sense for Maui to be a main part of the first two films. He was the only main character with some sort of powers, and his various demigod abilities were necessary forMoana’s ending and when it came time to fightNalo inMoana 2.
Dwayne Johnson is returning as Maui in the live-action Moana remake
The problem for Maui is that Moana can now fill this same role going forward.Moana 3does not have to include Maui to ensure that a demigod is part of the story. Moana can take on that role in the narrative herself. It’sunlikely that the threequel would entirely remove Maui from Moana’s life, but that could be the ultimate plan. His smaller role in the sequel and Moana’s power upgrade point to how the franchise is (rightfully) revolving around the titular character. So even if Maui is not completely removed from future films, he’s less important.
Why Moana 2 Making Moana Maui’s Replacement Is So Surprising
The potential for Moana to be Maui’s replacement afterMoana 2is unexpected due to the nature of their relationship in the franchise. The first film benefited greatly from the dynamic between Moana and Maui. Their playful banter and genuine care for the other made them a great pairing as friends or characters with a sibling dynamic. That’s why it was expected thatMoana 2would lean further into their relationship. Even with Maui’s reduced role, there are stillsignificant moments between them in the end that highlight the strength of this on-screen pairing.
Moana 2puts the franchise in a better position to continue without him
That is why it was presumed Moana and Maui’s relationship would continue to be at the core ofMoana 3. However, it is difficult to overlook the fact thatMoana 2puts the franchise in a better position to continue without him than before. Maui is only really necessary in the third act during the fight against Nalo. Now thatMoana has the power to take on other threats herself, the need to team up with Maui is lost. Perhaps that’s whyMoana 2’s post-credits sceneteased three villains uniting in the sequel, as that could require Maui’s help.
Moana Replacing Maui In Future Installments Could Help Expand The Franchise
Moana Could Benefit From Splitting Her & Maui
Putting Moana in a position where she could replace Maui might seem like a mistake or something that could remove Johnson’s character from the franchise completely. However, there’s also the option that the franchise could benefit from splitting Moana and Maui, at least temporarily.Moana and Maui can now go on separate adventures as demigodsto give the series room to grow each character and increase the number of movies being made beyondMoana 3and the live-action remake.
Moana 3could reshape the franchise by shifting its focus to be around Moana and her younger sister, Simea. This would allow the sequel to keep its familial focus and return to a story where a young girl goes on an adventure with a demigod. Only this time, it would be Simea being the young, potential Wayfinder andMoana occupying the demigod role Maui originally filled. This would give the franchise a chance to add more depth to Moana and the scope of her powers and flesh out a great new side character.
TheMoanaseries could then look to give Maui his own spinoff movie or show.Moana 2teased that Maui has his own adventures now, andthe love for Johnson’s character could incentivize Disney to give him a standalone project. This would allow the franchise to really dive into Maui’s backstory, personality, and adventures without worrying about sidelining Moana. The mainMoanamovies could keep the same formula they’ve had so far, while Maui’s spinoffs could go further into the demigod mythology side. That would make their reunion afterMoana 2much more exciting.
