Release Date: May 23, 2025
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Production Companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Rideback
So, Disney's doing another one of those live-action remakes; this time it's Lilo & Stitch. It's coming out on May 23, 2025, and they're trying to bring the sweet story from the 2002 cartoon to people who might not know it. They're mixing real actors with some pretty cool CGI. People are wondering how it will turn out.
What's the Story?
From what they say, the movie will be like the first one. It's all about Lilo Pelekai, a little girl in Hawaii. She's got this out-of-this-world friend named Stitch. Stitch is a weird alien creation who ends up looking like a dog. Lilo adopts him, and they go on all sorts of wild times together. The big messages are about family, accepting others, and that Hawaiian idea of 'ohana, which means family. It will be interesting to find out what happens.
Who's Playing Who?
*Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha): She's a kid with a lot on her mind, dealing with losing her parents. Stitch becomes her best buddy.
*Stitch/Experiment 626 (Chris Sanders voicing): He's an alien made to destroy stuff, but he learns about love and family from Lilo.
*Nani Pelekai (Sydney Agudong): Lilo's older sister, trying to be responsible and keep everyone together. It's tough.
*Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis): He's the mad scientist who made Stitch in the first place.
*Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen): He's supposed to help catch Stitch.
*Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance): He used to be a CIA agent; now he's checking on Nani to see if she's doing okay as Lilo's guardian.
*Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere): She's a brand new character and hopefully adds something to the Hawaiian part of the movie.
*Tūtū (Amy Hill): She's another new character.
How They're Making It
This movie has been in the works for a while. At first, they had a different director, but Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell With Shoes On) is in charge now. The people writing the script, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, want to keep the spirit of the first movie but add some new stuff.
They shot most of it in Hawaii, which should make it feel real. They had some delays because of world events, but they were done filming in March 2024. This gives them time to work on the computer stuff to get Stitch looking right.
How Stitch Looks
The Music
We don't know everything about the music yet, but they will most likely use Hawaiian tunes and Elvis songs, just like the first movie. That would be a nice touch and would add to the Hawaiian feel.
Getting the Word Out
So far, they've mostly shown Stitch in the trailers and stuff. People are hyped to see him but also want to know what the actors and Hawaii will look like.
What People Think
The cartoon Lilo & Stitch is a classic. People love it because of its heart and how it shows Hawaiian culture. This new movie has a lot to live up to. Everyone's hoping that with the great people working on it and the cool effects, this movie will feel like 'ohana and have some of the fun of the original.