The main ensemble for Disney’s upcoming Lilo & Stitch live-action remake has been revealed, and fans are overjoyed.
The long-awaited project was first revealed in 2020, with an estimated $60 million (£48.6 million) budget and plans to debut on Disney Plus.
Lilo & Stich tells the tale of a young Hawaiian girl who is adopted by her older sister after her parents are killed in a car accident.
She is desperate for a dog and believes her fantasies have come true when she encounters Stitch, an alien known as Experiment 626 who crash-lands on Earth and is scientifically designed to cause pandemonium and devastation.
Stitch initially uses Lilo to avoid capture, but they form a rather cute connection, and Lilo helps Stitch unlock his heart and resist his destructive inclinations, all in the name of ”ohana,” the movie’s moral, which means family.
It was previously revealed that original Stitch voice performer Chris Sanders would reprise his part as the endearing and mischievous blue alien. Sanders also co-wrote and co-directed the first film from his own original concept.
He’s finally discovered his Lilo in the shape of newcomer Maia Kealoha. The child was allegedly chosen through an open call in November, and Disney fans are beside themselves with how similar she appears to the cartoon version of her character, calling her “perfect.”
‘I’m so excited for this this. She looks just like Lilo omg,’ wrote one person, while another added: ‘She fits Lilo so well!’
‘Oh wow that’s actually pretty spot on,’ commented another fan.
‘Now THIS is Lilo! she’s so pretty!’ joined in someone else, while another gushed: ‘She was born to play this role.’
Others, on the other hand, were worried as you can’t actually cast a ‘real life blue alien’ how a CGI Stitch might appear in the new picture.
‘Firstly she’s adorable secondly I am absolutely terrified concerning what a live action Stitch would look like… [sic],’ shared one fan.
‘The demonic CGI live action Stitch will haunt us all in our nightmares,’ declared someone else, while another fan shared a photo of Pikachu from 2019’s Pokémon Detective Pikachu and commented: ‘I hope to God stitch is like this and not an abomination to my eyes.’
It was previously reported that Hangover star Zach Galifianakis had signed up for a role in the movie in February – believed to be that of alien Pleakley, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
According to Deadline, Oscar winner Dean Fleischer Camp, the director of Marcel the Shell with Shoes on, is scheduled to direct from a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, based on an earlier draught by Mike Van Waes. It is the latest in a lengthy series of live-action Disney adaptations, including The Lion King, 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.
The Little Mermaid, featuring Halle Bailey as the eponymous character, will be released in theatres on May 26, while Rachel Zegler will play Snow White in Disney’s remake of their first-ever full-length film, which was published in 1937.
Questlove, a Grammy and Oscar-winning musician and documentary filmmaker, will also make his feature film directing début with the live-action adaptation of The Aristocats.
A release date is yet to be scheduled for Lilo & Stitch.