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Disney’s one of the major releases during its post-animation renaissance was the animated 2002 film,Lilo & Stitch. Filmmaker Chris Sanders conceived the idea for the genetically engineered alien creature Stitch in 1985. The film was a huge success and spawned several direct-to-video films and television series. In 2025, the popular franchise will be receiving a live-action/CGI adaptation.
Sanders will be returning to the film in a voice-acting capacity, alongside newcomer child artist Maia Kealoha. The film will be directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, known for his Oscar-nominated animated filmMarcel the Shell with Shoes On.
Lilo & Stitchrelease date: When will the live-action adaptation of the 2002 film hit theaters?
Lilo & Stitchwill be released in the United States on July 12, 2025. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will be distributing the film in theaters. It would be surprising for fans of the original that a theatrical release was not intended for this film. Insider reports dating back to 2022 shared that the film was supposed to be a Disney+ original film (via The Disinsider).
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It would’ve ended up as a terrible move since the original animated film grossed $273 million against all odds. Disney also must’ve figured out that a theatrical release would bring lucrative returns for such a fan-favorite character.
One concerning thing for the film is that it will be going up againstTom Cruise‘sMission: Impossible 8on May 23. A week later,Karate Kid: Legendsand Tom Hiddleston’sThe Life of Chuckwould also hit the theaters. The month begins with the release of Marvel’sThunderbolts*, which if successful could encroach intoLilo & Stitch‘s release week.
A live-action remake of the film was announced as far back as 2018. At one point,Wickeddirector John M. Chu was attached to the project before the makers turned to Dean Fleischer Camp. Mike Van Waes wrote the initial script for the film. Chris Kekaniokalani Bright was then brought in 2023 to rewrite the script.
Waes welcomed Bright and Camp to the film’s production indicating that he was involved in the project and was given a writer’s credit.
Lilo & Stitchcast: Chris Sanders reprises his role alongside a new cast
Chris Sandersand Dean DeBlois co-directed the animated film and Sanders voiced one of the titular characters, Stitch. Sanders surprisingly agreed to return to voice the chaotic alien in the film. Fans would be happy to see Sanders back in the role, especially after he gave the most underrated film of 2024,The Wild Robot.
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Child actress Maia Kealoha will play the role of live-action Lilo. She was cast in the role in April 2023. Fans felt that Kealoha was too cute and shared a criticism that shewouldn’t be able to pull off Lilo’s sassy personality. Criticism was also fielded against Sydney Agudong’s casting as Lilo’s sister Nani. It was alleged that theactress was too light-skinnedto play the character.
Kahiau Machado was initially cast in the role of David Kawena, before being replaced by actor Kaipo Dudoit. Machado was fired from the role after Disney found out aboutthe actor’s racist history. Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen will voice the roles of alien characters Jumba and Pleakley.
Law & Order‘s Courtney B. Vance andTed Lasso‘sHannah Waddinghamalso joined the project. Vance would play ex-CIA agent Cobra Bubbles, a role earlier voiced byMission: Impossiblestar Ving Rhames in the original. Waddingham would play the antagonist Grand Councilwoman, who sends Jumba and Pleakley to capture Stitch.
Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee from the original voice cast of the 2002 animated film were given different acting roles in the live-action film. Carrere voiced the role of Nani in the animated film.
Lilo & Stitchplot details: Is it a faithful remake?
Lilo & Stitchwas announced as a remake of the 2002 animated film. However, the addition of some new characters suggests that there would be a few changes in the story from the original. However, the original’s basic plot would remain the same in the live-action as well.
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Disney revealed the design of the character Stitch at D23 in August 2024. In November, the film dropped itsfirst teaser. Asecond teaserarrived in December. According to the description under the teaser,Lilo & Stitchis“the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.”
Similar to what we saw in the original film, Maia Kealoha’s Lilo would adopt Stitch, not knowing that he is a troublemaker alien. Stitch is on the run from the alien United Galactic Federation. While he causes a ruckus initially, he eventually forms a bond with Lilo & Nani through the Hawaiian concept ofʻohana, or extended family.
Lilo & Stitch‘s animated version went on to receive a nod for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards. It lost to another masterpiece,Spirited Away.The live-action would look to run longer than the animated version’s 85-minute run.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3017
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
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Chris SandersLilo and Stitch
