Disney announced the release date of the live-action film «Lilo and Stitch»
13 march 2025 в 05:28
Disney’s trend of recreating beloved animated classics in live-action films continues with Lilo & Stitch. After several cast announcements and some early scandals, the live-action version is set to hit screens this year.
The original animated film was released in 2002 and grossed over $ 273 million at the box office. The film was also nominated for the «Best Animated Feature» at the Oscars. The story revolves around Lilo and her older sister Nani after the death of their parents. Lilo takes care of Stitch, an alien creature she adopts as her «dog». Through time spent with Lilo and Nani, Stitch learns the true meaning of family.
The success of Lilo & Stitch spawned a franchise that included three direct-to-video sequels. The film also led to the creation of three television series, including Lilo & Stitch: The Series. Over 20 years after the original film, Lilo & Stitch is heading to live-action.
So, who will play Lilo? Do we know who will voice Stitch? Is there already a release date? HollywoodLife has gathered everything we know so far about the live-action film Lilo & Stitch.
Disney has announced that the live-action Lilo & Stitch film will be released on May 23, 2025.
It is expected to debut on Disney+.
The live-action Lilo & Stitch film will feature a new cast. Newcomer Maya Kealoha will play Lilo. Sydney Agudong will play Nani. Sydney, who is also a singer, has previously appeared in the series On My Block and NCIS.
Billy Magnussen and Zach Galifianakis, known for the film «No Time to Die», - have also joined the cast of the live-action film, Deadline reports. Magnussen will play Pleakley, an alien from the planet Plorgonar and a former member of the United Galactic Federation, acting as an organization expert on Earth. Galifianakis will play Dr. Jumba Jookiba, an evil genius scientist who created Stitch to wreak havoc across the galaxy.
Obviously, Stitch will be created using CGI technology. As for the voice acting, Chris Sanders, who voiced Stitch (Experiment 626) in the original animated film, as well as directed and wrote it, will reprise his role as the voice of Stitch. In a 2022 interview with SYFY Wire, Sanders expressed curiosity about how Stitch will be adapted in the live-action version. He said, «I think the most obvious thing is that Stitch has to be Stitch visually speaking. Details matter, so I’ll be very interested to see how they handle Stitch’s textures… If he’s not the same shape, he’s not the same character… Preserving his appearance will be critically important».
Other cast members include Kaipo Dudoyta as David Kawena, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Hana Waddingham as Grand Councilwoman, Amy Hill as a new character named Tutu, and Tia Carrere reprising her role as Mrs. Hasagawa.
The casting of Sydney Agudong as Nani sparked debates about whether Disney whitewashed the character. Sydney is multiracial and from the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but there were discussions about colorism, as Nani is a character with dark skin.
«Not being a native or from the PoC community, it might not be easy to see the issue with this casting, but in our communities, this is a big issue», - one person wrote on Twitter. «Nani is a native Hawaiian with distinct features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colorism».
Another person wrote on Twitter, «No hate towards the actress, but you can’t tell me that’s Nani! The colorism is striking! Why not hire a dark-skinned native Hawaiian?!»
Others defended Sydney. One person wrote on Twitter, «This is Sydney Agudong, born and raised in Kauai. She’s British/Irish/Filipino/Hawaiian or as we say in Hawaii, 'Hapa Haole.' Today should be one of the best days of her life, she got the role of a lifetime as 'Nani.' Instead, she wakes up to hurtful outrage she doesn’t deserve»
The original animated film was released in 2002 and grossed over $ 273 million at the box office. The film was also nominated for the «Best Animated Feature» at the Oscars. The story revolves around Lilo and her older sister Nani after the death of their parents. Lilo takes care of Stitch, an alien creature she adopts as her «dog». Through time spent with Lilo and Nani, Stitch learns the true meaning of family.
The success of Lilo & Stitch spawned a franchise that included three direct-to-video sequels. The film also led to the creation of three television series, including Lilo & Stitch: The Series. Over 20 years after the original film, Lilo & Stitch is heading to live-action.
So, who will play Lilo? Do we know who will voice Stitch? Is there already a release date? HollywoodLife has gathered everything we know so far about the live-action film Lilo & Stitch.
Disney has announced that the live-action Lilo & Stitch film will be released on May 23, 2025.
It is expected to debut on Disney+.
The live-action Lilo & Stitch film will feature a new cast. Newcomer Maya Kealoha will play Lilo. Sydney Agudong will play Nani. Sydney, who is also a singer, has previously appeared in the series On My Block and NCIS.
Billy Magnussen and Zach Galifianakis, known for the film «No Time to Die», - have also joined the cast of the live-action film, Deadline reports. Magnussen will play Pleakley, an alien from the planet Plorgonar and a former member of the United Galactic Federation, acting as an organization expert on Earth. Galifianakis will play Dr. Jumba Jookiba, an evil genius scientist who created Stitch to wreak havoc across the galaxy.
Obviously, Stitch will be created using CGI technology. As for the voice acting, Chris Sanders, who voiced Stitch (Experiment 626) in the original animated film, as well as directed and wrote it, will reprise his role as the voice of Stitch. In a 2022 interview with SYFY Wire, Sanders expressed curiosity about how Stitch will be adapted in the live-action version. He said, «I think the most obvious thing is that Stitch has to be Stitch visually speaking. Details matter, so I’ll be very interested to see how they handle Stitch’s textures… If he’s not the same shape, he’s not the same character… Preserving his appearance will be critically important».
Other cast members include Kaipo Dudoyta as David Kawena, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Hana Waddingham as Grand Councilwoman, Amy Hill as a new character named Tutu, and Tia Carrere reprising her role as Mrs. Hasagawa.
The casting of Sydney Agudong as Nani sparked debates about whether Disney whitewashed the character. Sydney is multiracial and from the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but there were discussions about colorism, as Nani is a character with dark skin.
«Not being a native or from the PoC community, it might not be easy to see the issue with this casting, but in our communities, this is a big issue», - one person wrote on Twitter. «Nani is a native Hawaiian with distinct features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colorism».
Another person wrote on Twitter, «No hate towards the actress, but you can’t tell me that’s Nani! The colorism is striking! Why not hire a dark-skinned native Hawaiian?!»
Others defended Sydney. One person wrote on Twitter, «This is Sydney Agudong, born and raised in Kauai. She’s British/Irish/Filipino/Hawaiian or as we say in Hawaii, 'Hapa Haole.' Today should be one of the best days of her life, she got the role of a lifetime as 'Nani.' Instead, she wakes up to hurtful outrage she doesn’t deserve»
© Puhova Marina
