Disney is once again bringing a classic animated film to life, and this time it’s set in the beautiful islands of Hawaii!
Lilo & Stitch, the 2002 animated movie by Walt Disney Feature Animation, is the next beloved film to receive a live-action adaptation with real-life actors replacing the iconic cartoon characters.
The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news about the Hawaii-inspired live-action remake in February 2018, but very little information was available then. Fast forward five years, and the lead actors have now been announced.
Lilo & Stitch joins the ranks of Disney’s animated-to-live-action films, alongside Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, and Mulan. Disney is also developing live-action updates for Bambi, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and, most recently, Moana.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared the exciting news about Moana on Instagram. “Deeply humbled to announce we’re bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the live-action big screen!” he wrote. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength,” he continued.
Below, find everything we know about the live-action Lilo & Stitch adaptation, including the cast members playing the iconic roles.
What will the live-action Lilo & Stitch be about?
The official film synopsis explains that Lilo and Stitch “tells a story of the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog-like alien named Stitch, who was genetically engineered to be a force of destruction. With nosy social workers and pursuing aliens banging on the door, the two bond over a shared sense of family and win the day.”
Additional plot details will be announced at a later date.
Who is in the live-action Lilo & Stitch cast?
As the first official cast member, Zach Galifianakis joined the cast in February 2023. The details of his role are still under wraps, but The Wrap reported that he is set to voice the character of Pleakley.
Maia Kealoha, a Hawaiian newcomer, has been cast as Lilo after an extensive search for the perfect actors to play Lilo and her older sister. Deadline compared Kealoha’s casting to Auli’i Cravalho, another Hawaii-born newcomer chosen to voice Moana’s lead character in the 2016 film.
Sydney Elizabeth Agudong recently joined the cast as Nani, Lilo’s sister, while Kahiau Machado, another newcomer, will play David Kawena, Nani’s love interest and Lilo’s friend, according to THR.
Who is directing the live-action Lilo & Stitch?
Dean Fleischer Camp, the family-friendly director behind the indie gem Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, has been selected to direct the project, while Hawaii native Chris Kekaniokalani Bright is in final negotiations to write the script.
When will the live-action Lilo & Stitch be released?
The release date for the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has yet to be announced. THR reports that the film is planned as a tentpole feature for Disney+, but it’s still being determined whether it will also receive a theatrical release.
As the live-action Lilo & Stitch project progresses, anticipation continues to build. Keep an eye out for updates on casting, plot developments, and release date announcements.
