Why live-action Lilo & Stitch remake is sparking heated debates online
Disney's live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, set to release May 23, 2025, has sparked notable controversy and debate among fans and critics, despite significant anticipation. The film revisits the beloved 2002 animated story of a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who befriends an alien creature, Stitch. Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo, with Sydney Agudong portraying her older sister, Nani.
The 2002 original was praised for its positive representation of Pacific Islanders and Hawaiians, groups often underrepresented in Hollywood. However, the casting of Agudong, who is multiracial and light-skinned, has drawn criticism. Agudong celebrated the film's production on social media, though some users questioned whether the role should have gone to a darker-skinned actor more visibly Hawaiian.
Further controversy arose around the casting for the role of David Kawena, Nani's love interest. Kahiau Machado was initially considered but dropped after screenshots surfaced showing his use of racist language and problematic social media posts. The role was ultimately given to Kaipo Dudoit, marking his first feature film appearance.
Beyond casting, the film's creative choices have also sparked debate. Notably, the removal of a cross-dressing trait from the character Agent Pleakley has disappointed many fans. In the original, Pleakley's use of women's clothing was seen as an important aspect of LGBTQ+ representation.
The live-action version features Pleakley (played by Billy Magnussen) and sidekick Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) in standard menswear. Director Dean Fleischer Camp explained the change was due to technical challenges in portraying alien disguises realistically in live action, though fans criticized the decision as an erasure of queer representation.
Despite these debates, Disney reports strong interest in the remake. The trailer became the company's second most viewed live-action trailer ever, with 158 million views, and a Super Bowl commercial featuring Stitch drew over 173 million views within 24 hours.
The 2002 animated Lilo & Stitch was a box office success, grossing over $273 million worldwide and receiving an Academy Award nomination. While fans remain divided on some changes, Disney's strong marketing push signals confidence that the film will find its audience.
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