Latest news with #Jumba
Geek Tyrant
4 days ago
- Business
- Geek Tyrant
LILO & STITCH Director Responds to Backlash Over Live-Action Ending: 'It Just Felt Like the Right Thing to Do' — GeekTyrant
Disney's Lilo & Stitch live-action remake has been a financial success, pulling in over $360 million globally, but not everyone is thrilled about the creative choices, especially when it comes to the film's reimagined ending. Now, director Dean Fleischer Camp has stepped in to address the controversy and offer some insight into the thinking behind the film's most debated change. Unlike the 2002 animated original, the new version shifts who ends up raising Lilo. Instead of Nani and David taking on guardianship together, David and his grandmother become Lilo's foster family, while Nani leaves for college. She's still part of Lilo's life, visiting regularly through Jumba's portal gun, but this change has sparked criticism from some fans, who feel Nani 'abandoned' her sister. Camp doesn't see it that way. Responding on X, the Marcel the Shell filmmaker linked to an article defending the movie's ending and wrote: 'For anybody questioning the ending of our film, this beautiful piece [...] nails it.' He later followed up with: 'Thank you for sharing your stories with me. It seems like the people with actual lived experiences like this are the ones with whom this ending resonates the most.' For Camp, the decision to have Nani pursue her own dreams wasn't about removing her from Lilo's life, it was about deepening the story's emotional layers. Speaking to Deadline, he explained: 'I think that was one of the things that we talked about, thematically modernizing and updating for this live-action version was broadening the idea of Ohana and complicating it with a little more nuance. It just felt like the right thing to do.' He elaborated on how Nani's arc felt incomplete in the original, adding: 'Given that Nani, who I always felt was a little too rose-colored glasses for somebody in her situation, was so smart and has had to abandon a lot of these dreams or defer them because she had to take care of her little sister and inherited all this responsibility at such a young age. 'It just felt like she might not have such an easy time buying into, 'Nobody gets left behind' because she certainly would feel like, well, I'm struggling here. So that informed the approach that we took with the story and with the arch between the two sisters and what the resolution ended up being.' These changes are part of a broader update to the film's themes. While the original leaned into the sweetness and simplicity of Ohana, the remake digs into the complications that come with sacrifice, ambition, and the many ways families evolve. It's a creative choice that doesn't sit well with everyone, but it's a choice Camp 100% stands by. The new Lilo & Stitch stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, and introduces Maia Kealoha as Lilo. Chris Sanders reprises his role as the voice of Stitch, with a script by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. Whether you're on board with the new ending or not, it's clear the creative team aimed to expand the story rather than simply replicate it. As Camp's comments make clear, the goal wasn't to rewrite what made Lilo & Stitch special, it was to explore it in a different light.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
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.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After The "Lilo & Stitch" Live-Action Trailer Dropped, Everyone Is Commenting On This One Very Specific Thing They Changed
It's no secret that these days, the trend seems to be turning beloved animated movies into live-action remakes. In 2025 alone, we'll be getting three of these, with one big one being Lilo & Stitch. The live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is set to hit theaters in May 2025, and like all of the live-action remakes, it's basically a shot-for-shot recreation of the absolutely perfect animated film that came out in 2002. Now, I do need to put it out there before we continue. I am not a big fan of these remakes in general because I LOVE animation, and I think it's an art form that does not get enough credit across the board. Also, personally, there is never a scenario where I am going to choose to watch a live-action remake over the animated film, except for Cinderella, starring Lily James, because I do love that one. Anyway, the first trailer for Lilo & Stitch dropped yesterday, and yes, Stitch and Lilo seem adorable and they even included the moment where the guy drops his ice cream cone. But, there is one thing in particular a lot of fans are noticing and it's a difference when it comes to Jumba and Pleakley, who are played by Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen, respectively. In the original animated film, when Jumba and Pleakley arrive on Earth to try and hunt down Stitch, aka Experiment 626, they disguise themselves as humans, notably with Pleakley dressing as a woman. They aren't the best disguises, but that's part of the joke, and it works so perfectly. However, in the live-action remake, it appears like Jumba and Pleakley will simply activate digital human skins and appear to look like Galifianakis and Magnussen. Right now, it's unclear whether or not they put on other disguises during the film, but it's looking like they just transform into two unassuming men. As soon as the trailer hit the internet, people had a lot of thoughts on this change, in particular, taking away Pleakley dressing up as a woman so he and Jumba can disguise themselves as a married couple: Editor's Note: While we can't endorse what X has become, we can bring you the worthwhile moments that still exist there, curated and free of the surrounding chaos. 1. 2. Disney / Via 3. Disney / Via 4. 5. Disney / Via 6. Disney / Via 7. 8. 9. 10. conclusion: Alongside the Pleakley change, the film has also been criticized for the casting of Nani due to the casting of Sydney Agudong, who has not specified her heritage herself, but many have reported that she's not actually Native Hawaiian and she is light-skinned, while in the animated movie, Nani has a darker skin tone. Many Pacific Islanders pointed out when her casting was first announced that Nani's brown skin, body shape, and being a Native Hawaiian were essential to the representation they felt was important for the PI community, and now it's been changed for the remake. You can watch the full trailer for Lilo & Stitch below: What are your thoughts on the Lilo & Stitch live-action movie? Share ALL your thoughts in the comments below! Lilo & Stitch hits theaters on May 23, 2025. More on this The Internet Is Outraged Over Disney's Casting Of Nani In The Live-Action "Lilo & Stitch" — Here's WhyMorgan Sloss · April 15, 2023 The Role Of David In The Live-Action "Lilo & Stitch" Has Been Recast After Kahiau Machado's Reported Use Of The N-Word On Social Media ResurfacedMorgan Sloss · April 25, 2023
Buzz Feed
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
After The "Lilo & Stitch" Live-Action Trailer Dropped, Everyone Is Commenting On This One Very Specific Thing They Changed
It's no secret that these days, the trend seems to be turning beloved animated movies into live-action remakes. In 2025 alone, we'll be getting three of these, with one big one being Lilo & Stitch. The live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is set to hit theaters in May 2025, and like all of the live-action remakes, it's basically a shot-for-shot recreation of the absolutely perfect animated film that came out in 2002. Now, I do need to put it out there before we continue. I am not a big fan of these remakes in general because I LOVE animation, and I think it's an art form that does not get enough credit across the board. Also, personally, there is never a scenario where I am going to choose to watch a live-action remake over the animated film, except for Cinderella, starring Lily James, because I do love that one. Anyway, the first trailer for Lilo & Stitch dropped yesterday, and yes, Stitch and Lilo seem adorable and they even included the moment where the guy drops his ice cream cone. But, there is one thing in particular a lot of fans are noticing and it's a difference when it comes to Jumba and Pleakley, who are played by Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen, respectively. In the original animated film, when Jumba and Pleakley arrive on Earth to try and hunt down Stitch, aka Experiment 626, they disguise themselves as humans, notably with Pleakley dressing as a woman. They aren't the best disguises, but that's part of the joke, and it works so perfectly. However, in the live-action remake, it appears like Jumba and Pleakley will simply activate digital human skins and appear to look like Galifianakis and Magnussen. Right now, it's unclear whether or not they put on other disguises during the film, but it's looking like they just transform into two unassuming men. As soon as the trailer hit the internet, people had a lot of thoughts on this change, in particular, taking away Pleakley dressing up as a woman so he and Jumba can disguise themselves as a married couple: Editor's Note: While we can't endorse what X has become, we can bring you the worthwhile moments that still exist there, curated and free of the surrounding chaos. 1. 2. Look what they've done to our diva — Tom Zohar (@TomZohar) March 12, 2025 Disney / Via 3. Pleakley having a human form and not crossdressing is a sign of rising fascism btw — darzipan (@fuckyeats) March 12, 2025 Disney / Via 4. 5. Copping out by making Jumba and Pleakley wear digital human skins is so stupid. Like isn't it a whole joke that they're obviously aliens in cheap disguises — smosher ☆ (@ThatOnePoes) March 12, 2025 Disney / Via 6. they gave pleakley normal human disguises instead of their girly dress ups? CHOPP — D🦇 (@bluepantheress) March 12, 2025 Disney / Via 7. 8. 9. 10. Alongside the Pleakley change, the film has also been criticized for the casting of Nani due to the casting of Sydney Agudong, who has not specified her heritage herself, but many have reported that she's not actually Native Hawaiian and she is light-skinned, while in the animated movie, Nani has a darker skin tone. Many Pacific Islanders pointed out when her casting was first announced that Nani's brown skin, body shape, and being a Native Hawaiian were essential to the representation they felt was important for the PI community, and now it's been changed for the remake. Lilo & Stitch hits theaters on May 23, 2025.
