Disney's Moana shows Maui the demigod became trapped on an island for 1,000 years, but a fan theory claims his story doesn't hold water. In Moana, a shapeshifting demigod named Maui (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) steals the Heart of Te Fiti, a gem with the potential to create life. Unfortunately, the act causes a devastating plague, and Maui loses his magical fishhook and becomes trapped on an island. The curse even continues to threaten life 1,000 years later. To save her people, Auli'i Cravalho's Moana sets out to find Maui and make the demigod restore the stolen heart.
Moana's story continues in an upcoming series on Disney+. The Moana series, which Disney first announced in 2020, will come to life at Disney Animation Studios' new Vancouver Studio. David G. Derrick Jr. will direct the upcoming series, which will include new music and have Moana journey beyond her island's reef. However, details on the series and the cast are scant thus far. In addition to Cravalho and Johnson, 2016's Moana starred Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, and Nicole Scherzinger. Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda helped create the movie's iconic music.
Though Maui became stranded on an island for 1,000 years, a fan theory pokes holes in the demigod's story. According to a theory (via Reddit), Maui could've escaped his island prison all along, but he just didn't believe in himself. In Moana, Maui repeatedly emphasizes, "Without my hook, I am nothing." But that's not entirely true. He survived on an island for 1,000 years without his hook, and he seemingly has superhuman strength. Despite saying he has trouble floating in the water, Maui can swim well. He even attempts to swim away from Moana to escape her canoe before the ocean brings him back. According to the theory, Dwayne Johnson's Maui could easily escape from the island the entire time.
Maui's story was always a bit farfetched. The character is a shapeshifter, a demigod of the wind and sea, and a hero of men and women. He has superhuman strength, hoisting Moana's canoe above his head with one arm, and he can even carry a tune in "You're Welcome," a song that explains his history of helping humankind. In 1,000 years, it seems like the demigod could've concocted a plan to escape. He can clearly swim well and even tried to leave the canoe while it was sailing in the ocean. Because of all the character's powers, even sans his fishhook, it seems Moana's heart-stealing demigod, Maui, could've had the opportunity to escape the island.
Of course, there could've been other factors keeping Maui on the island. Throughout the movie, the ocean is a character that helps Moana on her journey. The ocean also keeps Maui from escaping the canoe. Since the water is sentient, the ocean could've kept Maui trapped until Moana came along to save the day. Of course, Moana is a coming-of-age story about overcoming self-doubt and being true to oneself. If Maui's doubt kept him on the island, it'd be more in line with the movie's themes. Then again, he does say he can do anything but float.