Since we now have to attend nearly a yr earlier than the following of upcoming Disney motion pictures from Walt Disney Animation, it’s price trying again on the most recent film from the studio, Moana 2. The film just lately grew to become accessible to hire and purchase on digital platforms, and whereas I used to be going by way of the bonus options, I realized one thing new in regards to the character of Maui that has made me take a look at Dwayne Johnson’s character in a special mild.
I Simply Discovered Out Dwayne Johnson’s Maui Was Impressed By His Grandfather
Whereas watching the “A New Voyage” featurette on Moana 2’s particular options, I realized The Rock has a private connection to Maui. Sure, I am speaking other than each characters being Polynesian icons. Try what he mentioned:
There are lots of traits about my grandfather that you just see in Maui. My grandfather was at all times singing, and he was a really massive man. He lived within the spirit of Mana. Harder than a two greenback steak, too.
Who’s The Rock’s grandpa? His title is Excessive Chief Peter Maivia and wrestling followers ought to already know him because of The Rock bringing him up all through his skilled profession. He was a wrestler generally known as the “Flyin’ Hawaiian,” in addition to an actor and stunt coordinator. You will have seen him within the James Bond film You Solely Dwell Twice as a driver who transports 007 and who finally ends up preventing Sean Connery’s model of the character. In 1981, he was identified with terminal most cancers and died a couple of yr later on the younger age of 45.
Years later, he is returned to the popular culture sphere because of his grandson, and actually, how cool is it The Rock will get to play tribute by way of a Disney character? It positively makes me admire Maui extra figuring out that The Rock has a deeper motive and inspiration to him, and that he’s truly used his late member of the family’s traits to embody a beloved character that a complete era loves, together with his daughters, who see themselves in Moana.
Whereas this is probably not new data for everybody, (as he apparently talked about it in 2022) and shared some images of Excessive Chief Peter Maivia on his Instagram when the film opened massive late final yr, I by some means missed the boat the primary time round. Nonetheless, I’m completely satisfied I do know this film truth now, in addition to different details the filmmakers delved into in Moana 2.
I Additionally Love How Maui’s Character Was Deepened For Moana 2
Whereas watching the Moana 2 bonus options, I additionally actually appreciated what the filmmakers and The Rock needed to say about constructing upon the character of Maui after the unique Moana film. Author/director Dana Ledoux Miller mentioned this:
We talked about being a demigod and never needing anybody or something, after which to have a friendship with Moana that turns into your one vulnerability. What occurs whenever you lose that or that’s been put in danger? What does it imply for somebody who’s so sturdy to ask for assist?
It’s so wonderful to have a personality like Maui problem poisonous masculinity along with his function, as he does when he has to forgo his delight and ask for Moana’s assist moderately than doing a heroic process on his personal. The Rock additionally mentioned this:
As bigger than life as he’s, he’s additionally deeply sentimental. I at all times wish to say ‘Probably the most highly effective factor we might be in our lives is ourselves’ and I feel that’s what Maui I feel has impressed, not just for me, however in speaking to followers all around the globe.
Maui is such an important character, and presents much-needed Polynesian illustration into the mainstream. Now, I’m so curious how Maui will play when he’s in the live-action Moana, which is ready to launch subsequent summer season.