Over six years after Disney first announced the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, we are getting more and more information about the project, including the long-awaited first proper look at Stitch.
Lilo & Stitch is the next in the long list of Disney live-action remakes — which also include The Lion King, Snow White, and many, many more — but the road to bringing the project to life has not been easy with COVID-19 delays, writers and actors strikes, and recastings galore.
Internally, the project has also undergone some changes. Though Mike Van Waes was first tasked with writing the script for the live-action Lilo & Stitch, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright ended up taking over the final version. Jon M. Chu was also originally in talks to direct the movie, but he took himself out of the race as his schedule was full. (Have you heard of a little franchise called Wicked?) In the end, Dean Fleischer Camp ended up being in charge of direction, and now we are smoothly sailing (or shall we say surfing?) toward the project's release.
Below, find out everything we know so far about the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, from its cast to its release date and everything in between.
What is the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake about
Much like previous Disney live-action remakes, the Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation will follow the same plot as the 2002 animated movie. Lilo & Stitch follows the story of Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl who lives alone with her older sister, Nani, after their parents' death. Since Lilo doesn't have many friends, one day, Nani takes her to the local shelter to adopt a dog. However, they end up adopting Stitch, an alien experiment trained for mass destruction, instead.
The original Lilo & Stitch, written and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, centers on topics such as sisterhood, loneliness, friendships, and overall family, with a really small side critic on mass tourism. The live-action adaptation is expected to deal with similar themes.
When is the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake coming out?
The live-action Lilo & Stitch will premiere theatrically on May 23, 2025, to coincide with Memorial Day weekend.
Who is in the cast of the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake?
The cast of the live-action Lilo & Stitch has been highly contested and criticized. The film will star Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Sydney Agudong as Nani.
Previously, it was announced that Kahiau Machado would play David, Nani's love interest; however, the role was recast after Machado's old post using racial slurs started resurfacing. Finally, Kaipo Dudoit will portray David. Fans accused Disney of colorism with Agudong's casting and demanded Nani also be recast. However, no action was taken on that front. Additional casting also includes Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, and Zach Galifianakis as Jumba.
There are also some connections to the original film with Tia Carrere (a.k.a the voice of Nani) in the animated film, taking on a new character named Mrs. Kekoa and Chris Sanders (a.k.a the animated film's co-writer, co-director, and the original voice of Stitch) reprising his role as everyone's favorite alien experiment. Amy Hill, who voiced Mrs. Hasagawa in the original film, will portray Tūtū, another new character.
What does Stitch look like in the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake?
The million-dollar question! On November 22, 2023, Disney released the first official poster for the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, giving fans a peek at what Stitch will look like, and the answer is: pretty much exactly like he did in the animated film, but fluffier. The character design is almost exactly the same as its predecessor, only with real-life teeth textures, soft baby blue fur, and a healthy and moist black snout. You can see the poster below:
Previously, Disney had given fans a glimpse at Stitch — a.k.a. Experiment 626 — during a D23 panel from August 2014, revealing a small opening title animation with the character, which you can watch below:
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When did the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake finish filming?
Per The Hollywood Reporter, filming for the live-action Lilo & Stitch wrapped in March 2024 in Hawaii after COVID-19 pushed production, initially intended to begin in 2020. Filming began in 2023 but was halted because of the strikes in the summer. Finally, filming resumed in February 2024.
Is there a trailer for the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake?
Yes! Disney released the official trailer for the Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation on March 12, 2025. In the trailer, we see Experiment 626's escape to Earth and plenty of familiar scenes from the animated movie. We also get a glimpse at the family dynamics once Stitch joins Lilo and Nani, — set to some Elvis Presley music, of course.
“'Ohana' means family. Family means nobody gets left behind,” Lilo famously says in a scene, which Nani completes in exasperation with an “Or forgotten" as she tries to stop Stitch from raiding their fridge. One thing that is sadly missing? Pleakley's c*nty bob. (It looks like technology has advanced, and instead of the good ol' wig disguise, Pleakley and Jumba are shapeshifting into humans, though we are praying a system malfunction brings the bobs back!)
Previously, Disney had released the first official teaser for the live-action Lilo & Stitch on November 25, 2024. The teaser shows Stitch at the beach having the time of his life, destroying a beautifully crafted sand castle. The teaser mirrors two scenes from the animated movie, one where Stitch builds and destroys San Francisco in Lilo's room and the emotional sand castle scene from the “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” music montage. You can watch the teaser below.
This post will continue to be updated as news about Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch breaks.
