New set photos and a video from Disney’s upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch movie provide an early look at Lilo. Based on the beloved 2002 animated film of the same name, the science-fiction family adventure centers on a young girl named Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha) who befriends the rude and violent blue alien Stitch. When the creature crash lands on Earth, he uses Lilo to hide from an intergalactic federation that wishes to capture him. However, Stitch begins to learn the value of family as he bonds with Lilo and her older sister.
Reel News Hawaii and hawaii isla 808 recently shared set photos and a video of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake that provides an early look at Kealoha as the live-action version of Lilo.
Hawaii isla 808’s video shows the camera crew filming Kealoha as she exits the ocean onto the beach. Sporting goggles and carrying a bag, Kealoha may be working on an early scene as there is no sign of Stitch, or any stand-in for the creature, on set.
What to Expect From Lilo & Stitch Remake
Continuing a popular trend from Disney, the upcoming Lilo & Stitch adaptation joins the ranks of the massive media company’s many live-action remakes of their acclaimed animated feature films. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, and The Little Mermaid, among many others, have all been remade with live actors assisted by a wealth of computer-generated effects. Lilo & Stitch is set to tell a modernized version of the twenty-year-old story that captured the hearts of a generation.
Writer, director, and animator Chris Sanders returns to voice Stitch, the Disney character he created for the original film. Along with newcomer Kealoha, Sydney Agudong stars as Lilo’s older sister Nani, Zach Galifianakis voices mad scientist Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Billy Magnussen takes on United Galactic Federation’s Agent Pleakley, and burgeoning actor Kaipo Dudoit portrays surfer David Kawena. However, the casting was not without controversy as the production has been criticized for colorism due to a number of the stars bearing skin tones lighter than their animated counterparts. David also needed a quick recast as the original actor was caught using racial slurs in social media posts.
Despite the backlash and controversy, Lilo & Stitch‘s production is underway. However, no release date has been given by Disney. As filming has only just begun in March, audiences can expect Lilo & Stitch to hit theaters no earlier than Summer 2024.
Source: @hawaii_isla808/Twitter, Reel News Hawaii/Facebook