The Lilo & Stitch live-action remake is a reinterpretation of Disney’s animated classic of the same name, and the project continues to provide updates on the movie’s casting, plot, and more. Blending CGI with live-action footage, Disney has produced many successful live-action remakes, such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book, and it seems likely the studio will eventually get through all of its animated features.
One of the few Disney animated films not based on preexisting material, the original Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 and revolves around the friendship between a young Hawaiian girl and the destructive extraterrestrial creature she adopts. The success of the first Lilo & Stitch spawned three direct-to-video sequels and three TV series, including an anime, plus a Lilo & Stitch manga set in feudal Japan. The live-action Lilo & Stitch remake will bring back the beauty of its setting as well as Lilo and Stitch’s iconic friendship and the franchise’s brand of family-friendly humor.
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Latest News
A New Release Window Is Revealed
Having been delayed by the Hollywood strikes of 2023 and various other production-related issues, the remake is finally moving forward with a new release window for the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie. Originally slated to arrive sometime in 2024 (on Disney+), it was revealed at Disney’s 2024 D23 fan expo event that the live-action remake will now premiere in summer 2025 in theaters. Disney also provided a brief clip of the CGI stitch that was posted on the Walt Disney Company official X (formerly Twitter) page.
The Hollywood strikes of 2023 consisted of the WGA strike (May-September 2023) and the SAG-AFTRA strike (July-November 2023) which saw writers and actors demand industry-wide changes for fairer pay and working conditions.
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Production Status
The Remake Will Premiere In 2025
the film is clearly taking a more important role in Disney’s upcoming slate.
The release window for the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie has changed a few times throughout the film’s long and troubled production, but it has now been penciled in for a summer 2025 theatrical release. This comes after plans to release the film on Disney+ in 2024 fell through, and now the film is clearly taking a more important role in Disney’s upcoming slate.
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Cast
Who Plays Who In The Live-Action Remake?
The cast of the Lilo & Stitch live-action movie is not without its controversies, and though it is taking shape, some changes have been made. Kahiau Machado was originally cast in the role of David Kawena but was recast after it was revealed he had previously used a racial slur. Kaipo Dudoit has since been tapped to play the role. The casting of Sydney Agudong as Nani Pelekai earned the live-action Lilo & Stitch backlash when the production was accused of colorism. Nevertheless, Agudong has retained the role as Lilo’s protective older sister.
On the returning front, Chris Sanders will reprise his role from the 2002 animated film, and he will voice the lovable blue alien, Stitch. In perhaps the movie’s most important role, Maia Kealoha has been cast as Lilo Pelekai, the rambunctious six-year-old who adopts Stitch.
The entire known Lilo & Stitch live-action cast includes:
|
Actor |
Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Role |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Maia Kealoha |
Lilo Pelekai |
 |
|
Sydney Agudong |
Nani Pelekai |
 |
|
Kaipo Dudoit |
David Kawena |
 |
|
Chris Sanders |
Stitch |
 |
|
Zach Galifianakis |
Dr. Jumba Jookiba |
 |
|
Billy Magnussen |
Agent Pleakley |
 |
|
Tia Carrere |
Mrs. Kekoa |
 |
|
Courtney B. Vance |
Cobra Bubbles |
 |
|
Amy Hill |
Tūtū |
 |
|
Jason Scott Lee |
Luau Manager |
 |
Related
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Cast & Character Guide
Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has cast mostly newcomers as the movie’s human characters with known comedic actors filling other roles.
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Story Details
What Will Happen In The Remake?
Like the original Lilo & Stitch, the remake will focus on the alien Stitch’s initial plans to cause havoc as he is pursued by government agents and other extraterrestrial creatures. But Stitch acquires a more friendly nature and finds a new purpose in life when he befriends Lilo. The remake may incorporate additional new plot points from the direct-to-DVD movies and shows, but nothing is known yet.
Most of the original characters are bound to show up, but even some new ones from the rest of the Lilo & Stitch lore can be introduced. For instance, Stitch! The Movie introduced Stitch’s cousin, Experiment 221, a.k.a. Sparky. By teasing characters like Sparky in the remake, the new version of the Lilo & Stitch story can explore more narrative threads.
Lilo & Stitch Remake
Lilo & Stitch is a live-action remake of the 2002 animated sci-fi adventure comedy directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. Based closely on the original, this remake follows a young girl who lives with her sister and has trouble fitting in at school. Her fortunes change when she meets a mysterious alien experiment named Stitch, who she claims is her pet dog, setting the stage for an intergalactic adventure in Hawaii.
- Director
- Dean Fleischer Camp
- Studio(s)
- Disney+
- Writers
- Chris Kekaniokalani Bright
- Cast
- Chris Sanders , Maia Kealoha , Sydney Agudong , Zach Galifianakis , Billy Magnussen , Tia Carrere , Courtney B. Vance
- Where To Stream
- Disney+
