Live-action Lilo & Stitch director addresses the shocking major change after fans threatened to BOYCOTT
The director of the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has addressed criticism over a shocking change that he made from the original after fans threatened to boycott the new film over it.
The upcoming movie is set to hit theaters on May 23 - nearly 23 years after the beloved animate classic captured the globe.
But Disney fans all over the globe were left outraged when it was revealed earlier this week that one of the most popular moments from the 2002 original had been removed from the new version.
It turns out, the beloved character Pleakley won't dress like a woman in the live-action remake, and many fans were so upset over the news that they announced they weren't going to see it in theaters anymore.
Now, director Dean Fleischer Camp has spoken out about what led to the heartbreaking change.
Lilo & Stitch follows an alien monster experiment who accidentally ends up on Earth after escaping from his creator.
Two aliens named Jumba and Pleakley head to Earth to try to hunt him down, while a Hawaiian girl name Lilo adopts him believing that he's a dog.
Stitch naturally causes mayhem for Lilo and her older sister, Nani, all while Jumba and Pleakley are always hilariously one step behind him.
But Disney fans all over the globe were left outraged when it was revealed earlier this week that one of the most popular moments from the original had been removed from the new version
Throughout their journey to try to get Stitch back, Jumba and Pleakley wear disguises in an attempt to try to look human and blend in with everyone around them - and in the original, Pleakley, who is male, opts to wear a dress and women's wig.
But don't expect the alien to dress like a female in the new version.
While chatting with Entertainment Weekly, Dean explained that Jumba and Pleakley, played by Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen respectively, don't put human clothes and wigs on at all in the live-action remake, so there actually wasn't a chance for Pleakley to dress up like a woman like he did in the animated flick.
Instead, he explained that they use technology to morph themselves into humans.
He added that he and his team did 'some tests and some character design work' to try to make Jumba and Pleakley look like they did in the original, but it just didn't work.
Ultimately, he said they decided it was 'a bridge too far' and that it didn't translate well into live-action.
'The humor of them walking around Hawaii dressed in these terrible disguises where Pleakley still has one eyeball, it's a little harder to buy in live action,' he said.
The director added that 'budgets' also played a part in the decision.
'If you have Jumba and Pleakley in alien disguises, then you're going to have to shortchange how much development work you can do on Stitch and these other elements,' he continued.
'It's not that they're aliens in the movie. You definitely see Jumba and Pleakley in their alien forms through a lot of the movie, but they are in human skin suits for part of it.'
When the trailer for the upcoming movie dropped earlier this year, many were quick to notice that Pleakley was disguised as a human man rather than a woman.
Then, in a video shared to his TikTok earlier this week, Dean confirmed the sad news that Pleakley does not dress as a female in the live-action remake while responding to some of the comments that were left on the trailer.
When one fan asked why Pleakley wasn't seen in his iconic dress, he explained, 'I have had people message me saying, "Why is Pleakley not wearing the dress?" And I just want to say, I tried.'
An image of his original concepts for the film then flashed across the screen, which showed Pleakley indeed wearing women's clothing and a long-haired red wig.
The news left fans all across the globe outraged, and they rushed to the comment section to slam Disney over it.
'Baby when he said he tried, he means Disney said no. Given the political climate - it's not shocking Disney wanted no part,' one user theorized. 'Sad, but I won't blame the director. I'll blame Disney.
Ultimately, he said they decided it was 'a bridge too far' and that it didn't translate well into live-action. Jumba and Pleakley are seen in their disguises in the live-action movie
Someone else replied to that comment, 'And not see the movie, right? If Disney is afraid to include drag, and you recognize that as shameful, why go?
'If you wait you can still appreciate it without paying ticket prices.'
'If you give money to the movie, you are rewarding the company for behavior and choices like this,' another user added.
'Disney are such cowards if they don't include Pleakley in a wig and dress… no way a movie made for an audience 20 plus years ago had a more accepting climate than current times, we're really regressing,' scathed a different viewer.
'I'm glad to hear you tried but still really disappointed in the decision,' a fifth comment read.
A sixth said, 'I don't blame you, but I won't be watching this simply because Disney has been making horrible choices lately that are too conservative.'
'Dean tell me exact who told you 'no' on the Pleakley dress I just wanna have a few words,' someone else commented.
'Why would you revealed the Pleakley [news] before the movie came out? You just gave everyone a reason not to go,' said another user.
'I'm going to skip this one in theaters because they changed Pleakley... I fear the soul of this movie has been lost and [that's a] warning sign of it,' announced a different person.
Upset fans also flooded X, formerly Twitter, with one writing, 'I'm so serious when I say boycott Lilo & Stitch if Disney didn't put Pleakley in a bob and a dress.
'It's crystal clear catering to the fascist and anti-trans rhetoric plaguing the world right now. F**k Disney.'
'GIVE ME PLEAKLEY IN A DRESS OR CANCEL THE MOVIE,' another angry user said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
16 And Pregnant star Whitney Purvis shares heartbreaking tribute to teen son after his mysterious death
The 16 And Pregnant star Whitney Purvis paid tribute to her late son Weston in a heartbreaking post shared to Instagram on Tuesday. The 33-year-old reality star remembered her son after his death on Monday at just 16 years old. She posted a photo of herself and Weston when he was just a baby to accompany the message. 'I will always cherish our memories together, the songs you use to love, your laugh, the phases you would go through, the little dolphin noise you use to do when you were younger, your smile, your jokes, the first day of school, playing with you, your first time swimming, making crafts, how you would dance in your crib to the law and order svu theme song, being a great big brother, the first time I held you and the last hug I gave you [sic],' Whitney recalled in a tender rush of memories. 'I love you, Weston more than words could ever describe. Rest in peace, my beautiful boy,' she concluded somberly. In her throwback photo, she she beamed jubilantly while holding little Weston in her arms. The 16 And Pregnant star Whitney Purvis, 33, paid tribute to her late son Weston in a heartbreaking post shared to Instagram on Tuesday. The 16-year-old boy was reported to have died on Monday He looked adorable with his wild, spiky hair, and he gazed sweetly into the camera with his piercing eyes. So far, Weston's cause of death has not been revealed, though Purvis confirmed through a Facebook post on Monday that her, 'beautiful son, Weston' had died on Monday. 'This is so hard to write. My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just don't understand,' she said. Weston's stepmother Amy Gosa also confirmed Weston's passing in a Facebook post, adding an autopsy will be done. She said that Weston was found unresponsive in his bed early in the morning. 'We do not know the cause, they will do an autopsy soon but all we know is we got up this morning around 7 am and tried to wake him up, he was not breathing, we attempted cpr and called an ambulance,' Gosa said. She added that the paramedics also attempted CPR, 'and took him to the hospital in Gordon County where he was pronounced dead. Gosa noted that Weston had dealt with 'several health issues' throughout his life, including 'diabetes.' 'This is so hard to write. My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just don't understand,' Whitney wrote on Monday Whitney's initial post continued, 'Oh my baby is gone and I don't know what to do with myself. He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true.' 'How do you go on in life after losing a child? I'm in disbelief, this cannot be happening. I don't want it to be real. I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can't describe the pain I am feeling,' she added. 'I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. God, I love you so much. You are my heart. I was so proud of the young man you were becoming. I just can't go on without you. Rest in Peace, my angel. You are gone too soon. April 2, 2009 - June 2, 2025,' she concluded. Gosa's post added, 'We are completely heartbroken and in shock. It was so unexpected.' 'Losing a child is the most painful thing I have ever experienced and I hope I never experience it again,' she added. 'He was the most amazing son I could have asked for. He was brilliant, smart, funny and had so much potential in life. It doesn't feel real,' she continued. 'Please keep our family and Whitney in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn such a brilliant amazing life that was our son. Thank you,' Gosa concluded. Whitney added in another post, 'Rest in Peace, my baby Weston. I love you forever, precious. I'll never understand why life has to be so cruel. You'll always be my baby.' Weston was born during the first season of MTV's 16 and Pregnant, to Whitney's boyfriend at the time, Weston Lewis Gosa. While the show ultimately spawned MTV's Teen Mom franchise, Whitney was one of just two moms not picked to appear in that show, along with Ebony Jackson. Weston Owen Gosa Jr. was born April 2, 2009, with Whitney giving birth to their second son River in 2014, just before they split up again. Whitney ultimately lost custody of both sons to Weston Sr., and she was arrested last year for failing to make child support payments. Weston Sr. has been arrested multiple times as well for driving on a suspended license, while both Whitney and Weston Sr. were arrested for smashing electronics in 2012.
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-ESPN star John Brenkus' cause of death revealed after passing away last week at 54
Former ESPN host and best-selling author John Brenkus died from suicide, a medical examiner has confirmed. TMZ said that the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the tragic nature of the 54-year-old's death last week. When the Brenkus family announced the news of his passing on Sunday, they alluded to the nature of his death by saying he had been fighting depression. The statement said: 'It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away. 'John, co-founder of Base Productions, Founder of and co-creator and host of the six-time Emmy award-winning "Science," had been battling depression. 'John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025. His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.' Back in January 2023, during an interview with ex-NFL player Marcellus Wiley, Brenkus opened up on his mental health struggles. 'I fell into a very deep depression,' he said. 'I spiraled into a deep, deep depression and I was flat-out suicidal.' Brenkus revealed that his dog saved his life. '(He) came to my rescue... and in my suicidal funk, I was like: "What am I doing?" I literally picked up my phone, called my mom and said: "There's something wrong with me. I am mentally lost."' Brenkus then detailed his 'battle' for 'answers' which involved seeing multiple different psychologists and psychiatrists. Back in 2010, he wrote 'The Perfection Point: Sport Science Predicts the Fastest Man, the Highest Jump, and the Limits of Athletic Performance'.
Times
25 minutes ago
- Times
Stick review: Owen Wilson's golfer charms, but is this the ‘new Ted Lasso'?
Stick, shtick and plenty of heart. Apple TV+ is hoping this feelgood sports comedy is the new Ted Lasso, and although it might not be everyone's (tin) cup of tea, there's a lot to like about this show. Let's start with the stick; that's a golf club if you hadn't already guessed, and although there's plenty of green-side chat and birdies, the good news is you don't need to like or understand the sport to enjoy the show (although it probably helps). Our story centres on an ageing former golf pro, Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson). He was once the next big thing on tour before spectacularly crashing and burning. Twenty or so years later, he's still haunted by his failure, unsuccessfully trying to save his marriage to Amber-Linn (Judy Greer), drinking a lot and working in a golf shop recommending overpriced clubs to make as much commission as possible. Pryce just can't catch a break — that is, until he spots the troubled teenager Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager) hitting colossal drives after sneaking on to the local range and sees the potential to make him a star. Like most things in Pryce's life, this isn't going to be easy, and Santi (for reasons that will become clear as the show goes on) is incredibly resistant to help with his golf and taking this big risk. However, when his mother, Elena (Mariana Treviño), realises this could be a chance to make enough money for the family to change their lives, she reluctantly agrees to go on tour in a crowded camper van owned and driven by Pryce's old caddy, Mitts (Marc Maron). So begins a very pleasing journey of discovery: a mentor who's all-in on a long shot and his cantankerous mate; a mother who knows what she wants and a hot-headed raw talent with a lot of baggage — what could possibly go wrong? • Why Ted Lasso is the best show about football That leads me to the elephant in the room, the shtick. Many people like Wilson's thing. That mild Texas drawl, loveable loser, laid-back demeanour and anything-goes easy charm. And well, some don't. I'm in the former camp and therefore the prospect of ten episodes of a Wilson-powered vehicle fills my heart with happiness — but for those who wish they'd never seen You, Me and Dupree or Wedding Crashers, to use the golfing parlance, now's the time to pick up and head for the 19th hole. And so if you're not put off by golf or Wilson, let us talk about the real star of the show: the heart. Whereas 'cooler' comedy tends to focus on the edgy and the anxiety-provoking, this is a show happy to settle in with its feelings, and there are plenty of them. From the rage against the machine relationship between youngsters Santi and the equally disenfranchised country club waitress Zero (Lilli Kay) and the quirky dynamic between middle-aged Elena and Mitts, there's a lot going on. And that's before we throw in Pryce's complicated relationships with everyone, which drive the story along at a pace. Like Ted Lasso, this is a story that is unafraid to take its flawed characters on an emotionally charged comedic flight over fairway and rough, through the woods and into bunkers, before leaving them all a putt at happiness. If you're looking for a new comedy, it's worth a shot.★★★★☆ Love TV? Discover the best shows on Netflix, the best Prime Video TV shows, the best Disney+ shows , the best Apple TV+ shows, the best shows on BBC iPlayer, the best shows on Sky and Now, the best shows on ITVX, the best shows on Channel 4 streaming, the best shows on Paramount+ and our favourite hidden gem TV shows. Don't forget to check our critics' choices to what to watch this week and browse our comprehensive TV guide
