Folks, get ready to watch an animated alien interact with real humans. Disney is making a live-action Lilo & Stitch, but, if you cast your mind back to the original, you may remember that one of the titular characters is a blue alien. In fact, half of the main cast is alien. So, yes, this “live action†film will actually include a pretty hefty amount of animation. The teaser trailer gives an idea of what that will look like and, well, see for yourself. Put on your lei and queue up “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride†for the cast, the release date, and everything else we know about the upcoming “live†action.
A live-action Stitch? Let’s see the trailer.
Stitch is wreaking havoc on a sandcastle and making adorable noises in a new teaser released on November 25, 2024. Except now he has a million strands of CGI fur. He doesn’t really look real, and he also doesn’t really look fake. It’s … uncanny.
Who’s behind experiment 626 this time?
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On director Dean Fleischer Camp has been tapped to direct, according to Deadline. So the burden of making a live-action Stitch — who must somehow be believable as both blue dog and alien — lies with him. Jon M. Chu was in talks to direct in 2020. Originally, it was reported that horror writer Mike Van Waes would pen the script, but now Chris Kekaniokalani Bright will be writing it.
And the cast?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Sanders, returns as the voice of Stitch. Acting opposite the monstrous CG alien will be Courtney B. Vance, per The Hollywood Reporter. He will reportedly star as sunglasses-wearing social worker and former CIA agent Cobra Bubbles, and joins previously-announced cast member Zach Galifianakis. “But Vulture, who is he playing?†you ask. He’s none other than Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Stitch’s daddy and mad scientist. His fabulous sidekick, Agent Pleakley, will be played by Billy Magnussen.
The titular Lilo will be played by Hawaiian actress Maia Kealoha, making her film debut. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong will play Lilo’s big sis/legal guardian Nani. Kahiau Machado was originally slated to play Nani’s love interest, David Kawena. Reportedly, however, after his past use of racial slurs on social media resurfaced, the part will now be played by Kaipot Dudoit. Tia Carrere, the original voice of Nani, will star as new character Mrs. Kekoa, while Amy Hill will star as new character Tūtū.
What’s Lilo & Stitch about again?
The OG L&S followed Experiment 626 (a.k.a. Stitch) as he fled the scientist who created him, got adopted by a girl in Hawaii, and fell for the stylings of Elvis. It also showed us all the meaning of ohana and taught Disney the meaning of toyetic. In the aughts, Stitch merch seemed like the backbone of the American economy. The little dude was everywhere: TP-ing Cinderella’s castle, getting a TV-show spinoff, and becoming big in Japan. The adaptation will be released directly to Disney+. Lilo & Stitch is the latest Disney classic to get the live-action treatment, something of a reimagining of the old Disney Vault model. Rather than rerelease Disney films every few years, why not completely remake them?
When’s the release date?
Surf’s up on May 23, 2025. Until then, there’s always the delightful 2003 animated series on Disney+.