Michael Lee

Homer’s “The Odyssey” is one of the greatest stories ever told. While it has been adapted countless times over the centuries, Christopher Nolan reimagines the epic in a way that feels remarkably accessible to modern audiences, thanks to its contemporary language and global cast, who deliver stellar performances. For all its gods, monsters, and sweeping spectacle, Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is ultimately a deeply human story about homecoming, loss, leadership, and the cost of finding your way back.

Disney’s 2016 animated “Moana” became one of the studio’s defining modern classics, introducing audiences around the world to a story rooted in Pasifika culture, wayfinding, identity, and self-discovery. Nearly a decade later, Disney returns to Motunui with a live-action reimagining directed by Thomas Kail, starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. However, the question is not whether “Moana” still works. Her story is worth telling no matter the medium.

In the decade since Moana was released, the animated original has evolved from a Disney hit into a cultural touchstone, introducing many audiences to Pasifika cultures while giving young viewers a heroine rooted in courage, ancestry, and wayfinding. Now, the live-action iteration comes to us, giving the film a more tangible feel to what the animated film could not do. And we had a chance to talk to some of the cast and crew about making that leap from animation to live-action.