Tamatoa is the second antagonist in Disney's Moana. He is a huge wicked crab who lusts after everything valuable and shiny. He displays his acquired gems on top of his golden shell to project elegance and dominance. Tamatoa is voiced by Jemaine Clement.
Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Moana is a musical, adventure, and comedy film distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. It was released on November 23, 2016, making it the 56th animated picture in the Disney canon. The film follows the voyage of a heroic teenager named Moana as she sets out on a mission to rescue her people across the Pacific Ocean.
The self-centered 50-foot crab Tamatoa resides in the monster world of Lalotai. The egotistical crab makes up for this believed weakness by wrapping himself in everything shining because he aspires to be more than a "bottom feeder."
Tamatoa’s background in Disney’s Moana
Tamatoa is a gigantic coconut crab from the monster-infested world of Lalotai. Tamatoa, who lives in a huge seashell in the depths of the realm, is a "beady-eyed bottom feeder," a social standing he despises. To increase his status, he covers his shell with gold, rare artifacts, and treasures; this excessive compensation finally turns into a mad love of everything shiny. Tamatoa is a passionate hoarder and collector whose obsession with material possessions has eventually driven him insane.
Tamatoa, however, needs more than a beautiful shell. He has been scheming for generations to take Te Fiti, the island goddess, and control her heart. By completing this, Tamatoa would become the ultimate creator and be elevated to the status of a superior and important being.
Additionally, Tamatoa has long been the renowned demigod Maui's arch-enemy. The two seem to know each other quite well; Tamatoa even seems to be aware of Maui's somewhat tragic origins. Maui claims that the huge crab's animosity toward Tamatoa stems from the fact that he tore off one of his legs during one of their fights. Maui even got a tattoo for defeating him. Even though he is physically strong, Tamatoa is afraid of Maui when he raises his magical fish hook. However, his fear diminishes when he finds out that Maui is out of practice.
Who plays the crab in Moana?
Jemaine Clement, a New Zealand actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker, voices the giant coconut crab, Tamatoa in Disney’s Moana. He performed the English and Māori dubbing voices of Tamatoa. He used David Bowie's voice as the model for the character's voice. Born on January 10, 1974, in Masterton, Wairarapa, Clement grew up in a working-class household with his two brothers, his mother, and his grandmother, Maikara.
In addition to creating the comedic TV series Flight of the Conchords for the BBC and HBO, for which he was nominated for six Primetime Emmys, he has recorded multiple albums with Bret McKenzie as the musical comedy duet Flight of the Conchords.
FAQs about Tamatoa in Moana
Tamatoa claims in the movie's novelization that he had eaten both of his grandparents. Only his grandmother is mentioned in the film.
Jemaine Clement, a New Zealand actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker, voices the giant coconut crab, Tamatoa in Disney’s Moana.
Yes, the giant coconut crab named Tamatoa is a secondary villain in Disney's Moana.
