Walt Disney Animation is known for creating some of the most iconic movies of all time. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Cinderella, Bambi, Frozen, Moana, and so many more. Nowadays, Disney still makes some great original films, but they appear to be more focused on live-action remakes. Some of the remakes — like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin — were huge hits. Others, like Dumbo, The Lion King, and Pinocchio, were not as successful. However, that hasn’t slowed Disney down. 2023 alone will see the release of several more live-action remakes, including The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan & Wendy.
Disney is also working on a number of live-action remakes to be released in the coming years. This includes Hercules, The Aristocats, Snow White, and Lilo & Stitch. Snow White is slated to be released in 2024, but we do not know the release timelines for the others. Next up after Snow White appears to be Lilo & Stitch, which is currently casting.
Disney has already announced that the roles of Lilo, Nani, and Pleakley have been cast. The role of Nani’s love interest, David, had been announced. However, Disney is apparently recasting David’s role because of racist comments made by the actor. The Hollywood Reporter shared an exclusive report that Sanders was in talks to return to the live-action film to voice Stitch:
Chris Sanders is in final negotiations to voice the character of Stitch in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Sanders, who wrote and directed the original feature alongside Dean DeBlois, voiced the creature, which he also created, in the 2002 Lilo & Stitch, as well as Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-06). Sanders has been rumored to return as Stitch for years, but in a 2022 interview with SYFY Wire, he said he hadn’t been officially approached by the studio.
In addition to possibly voicing Stitch once again, Sanders also wrote the script for the adaptation. Should Sanders agree to return, he would be the second actor from the original animated film to return. However, he would be the only one in their original role. Tia Carrere voiced Nani in the 2002 animated movie. Carrere has been cast as Mrs. Kekoa, a child services worker who will be a new character in the remake.
In the live-action remake, Lilo will be played by newcomer, Maia Kealoha. The role of Nani will be played by Sydney Elizabeth Agudong, and Pleakley will be voiced by Zach Galifianakis. It was also recently announced that Courtney B. Vance will be playing Cobra Bubbles. Kahiau Machado had originally been cast to play David, but the role has been recast. Dean Fleischer Camp will be directing the film, which is expected to be released on Disney+.
