Disney is slowly adding more members to the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie, and we can't get enough! Following the iconic 2002 film, audiences worldwide have found a new meaning to Ohana, and now over two decades later, they are ready to welcome more members to their family! Let's take a closer look.
The early 2000's classic movie tells the story of a lonely human girl, Lilo, and her half-dog, half-alien-like friend, Stitch. Based in Hawaii, the duo band together as social workers and aliens come after them, but while going on these wild adventures, Lilo and Stitch bond over their shared connection and love for their families. We all know the famous quote, "Ohana means family, and family means nobody is left behind or forgotten." It makes us shed a tear every time!
Upon hearing the news of the live-action film, loyal fans worldwide were curious to know who would voice over their favorite characters. Newcomer Maia Kealoha was cast as Lilo, while Sydney Elizabeth Agudong was most recently cast as Nani, Lilo's older sister, and her sister's guardian. The Hangover's favorite character, Zach Galifianakis, was too cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter; however, his role is currently unknown. As for Stitch? The dog-like alien character will be a CG creation. Upon the announcement of Agudong, some audience members found the casting problematic, calling it "blatant colorism." One person tweeted, "Not being Indigenous or from a PoC community, it may not be easy to see a problem with this casting, but within our communities, this is a big issue. Nani is Indigenous Hawaiian with strong features and dark skin." However, Disney has not responded to these comments.
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On the other side, there were fans who celebrated Disney's casting calls. "What a little CUTIE!!! she's the perfect Lilo," one fan tweeted about Maia Kealoha's role, while another person wrote, "The perfect Lilo does exist, and she looks like this." As of now, the Dean Fleischer Camp-directed film is scheduled for a 2024 release date. So, stay tuned for more updates as we get them!