Disney has finally given us a glimpse of Stitch in action for the upcoming live-action remake of Lilo and Stitch, and I must admit, it feels a tad awkward.
Just recently, we saw a trailer drop for another cherished animated movie, “How to Train Your Dragon,” which is also getting the live-action makeover treatment. Now, Disney is jumping into the game with their own remake. Yesterday, they released a 30-second teaser that mainly features Stitch doing his best Godzilla impression, smashing a sandcastle modeled after the famous Disney castle alongside other ordinary ones. Besides a brief moment where a CGI character pops up in a void to interact with the release date text—mark your calendars for May 23, 2025—you won’t find much else to chew on. It’s a pretty sparse introduction.
As for the film’s official synopsis, if you were hoping for a twist, you might be disappointed. It sticks closely to the original: “the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog-like alien named Stitch, who is engineered to be a force of destruction.” Chris Sanders is reprising his role as the voice of Stitch, and Dean Fleischer Camp, known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, is stepping into the director’s role.
On to the cast, we have newcomer Maia Kealoha taking on the role of Lilo, with Sydney Agudong, known from On My Block, playing Lilo’s older sister Nani. Zach Galifianakis, from The Hangover fame, lends his voice to Jumba, Billy Magnussen from Game Night as Pleakley, and Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso also joins the lineup as an undisclosed character. You’re probably thinking she’s likely cast as the Grand Councilwoman, and that’s a pretty safe guess.
With the release date less than a year away, a full-fledged trailer is probably just around the corner. Meanwhile, Disney plans to rake in some serious cash this holiday season with the release of Moana 2, hitting theaters this week. Keep your eyes peeled!
