Moana 2’s New Villain: Matangi, the bat Goddess, Steals the Show

Published: 2025-03-12

Disney’s moana 2 introduces a captivating new character, Matangi, a bat goddess whose show-stopping musical number, “Get Lost,” is already making waves. The film, available on Disney+ and releasing on physical media March 18, 2025, presents Matangi as a trickster figure who challenges Moana’s journey with alluring unpredictability.

The Making of “Get Lost”: A Pop Anthem with a Twist

Composers Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, known as Barlow & Bear, crafted “Get Lost” as a “big pop anthem” for Matangi. Barlow explained their initial approach: “We knew we wanted it to be like a big pop anthem. But we didn’t realy know what she was singing about until we got the script. And it said that she was a goddess that was stuck in a giant clam and she was giving Moana some non-advice.”

bear added that the character’s initial conception was “a little bit more evil or less good-intentioned,” but evolved into a figure who serves herself, with aiding Moana being a convenient byproduct.This ambiguity adds depth to Matangi’s character, making her motivations difficult to decipher. “I mean, ultimately, we didn’t even really what her agenda was.Is she good? Is she bad?” Bear noted.

the composers also tailored the song to showcase the vocal abilities of Awhimai Fraser, who voices Matangi. Bear stated, “And I like that we also were told that Awhimai can sing her ass off. So we knew that we wanted to have this show-stopping song that really showcased her vocal ability. And she’s a new character.So [Disney] got to kind of branch out a little bit from the existing world of Moana.”

Awhimai Fraser on Embodying Matangi’s Enigmatic Personality

Fraser describes Matangi as having an “older sister vibe,” enjoying playing with the character’s complexities. While Matangi “genuinely wanted Moana to succeed,” she is also portrayed as rediscovering social skills after a long period of isolation. Fraser also noted Matangi was “really surprised also by Moana, [and] that she was a bit thrown by her.”

The song “Get lost” encourages Moana to deviate from the expected path, a sentiment that reflects Matangi’s unpredictable nature.Fraser explains, “Hopefully the performance showed that journey of, she arrives super sassy, mysterious, kind of playing around with Maui, and then at the end, you know, she genuinely hopes that she’ll see Tau Tai Moana again”—even as a challenger.

Embracing the Unknown: “Getting Lost” as a Path to Magic

Barlow revealed that the line “Get Lost” was inspired by real-life Wayfinders who considered “getting lost was the pathway to magic.” This theme resonates with Moana’s journey, as she grapples with mistakes and uncertainty. “Even the line ‘Get Lost’ was inspired by a conversation with real life Wayfinders, who said getting lost was the pathway to magic,” Barlow shared. “And we said, ‘write that down’. Because Moana’s making a bunch of mistakes, and she doesn’t know how to get out. She’s stuck.”

Bear adds that Moana is forced to “toss out the rule book” when her usual strategies fail. Matangi serves as a catalyst for this change, encouraging Moana to embrace unpredictable choices. The lyrics intentionally remain vague, building anticipation until the bridge, where the message becomes clear: “‘the point of this journey is you can’t take the path that’s already traveled. You have to find a new one’.”

the Future of Matangi: More Twists and Turns Ahead?

matangi’s ambiguous nature allows her to act as both friend and foe,pushing Moana to grow beyond her comfort zone. Fraser hopes to reprise the role, and post-credit scenes in Moana 2 hint at Matangi’s return. She expressed her desire to “delve a little bit more into moana’s journey and also how Matangi can keep playing with her and keep pushing her into spaces that maybe she’s not so comfortable with.”

Fraser hopes to explore Matangi’s backstory: “It would be really fascinating to find out how on earth—what did she do to get put into this giant clam and have to be there for a very long amount of time? She must have really annoyed Nalo.”

“Moana 2” Availability

Moana 2 is now streaming on Disney+ and will be available on 4K and Blu-ray on March 18,2025.Look out for a special steelbook edition at select retailers.

Matangi has made a splash, and fans eagerly await the prospect of Moana 3.Her blend of sass,mystery,and genuine (though perhaps unconventional) guidance promises more captivating moments in the future.

Dive into the world of Moana 2 and experience Matangi’s enchanting performance. Stream it today on Disney+ or grab your copy on Blu-ray March 18!