Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch sequel has added a familiar franchise face to its team, with Chris Sanders, co-creator, co-writer and co-director of the original animated movie, taking over as its director.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Sanders originally reprised his role as Stitch in the 2025 live-action film, and while he will likely do the same for the sequel, he will also pull triple-duty as its director, taking over the role from Dean Fleischer Camp, as well as its writer. The Lilo & Stitch sequel will also see the return of Jonathan Eirich as its producer.
The original 2025 film was a hit at the box office, garnering over US$1 billion worldwide. making it the first out of three Hollywood movies to achieve the milestone. While it was based on the franchise’s pre-existing storyline, centred on a young girl who befriends an escaped alien disguised as a puppy, the sequel will feature an entirely new plot.
The 2025 film starred Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance as Lilo, Nani, Dr Jumba Jookiba, Agent Wendell Pleakley, and Cobra Bubbles, respectively, so it remains to be seen if they will return to reprise their roles for the sequel. The original animated film also had a sequel in 2005, titled Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, which saw the titular alien being afflicted with sudden, unpredictable bursts of destructive behaviour, so it’s currently unclear if the live-action sequel will adapt any of its plot points.

The Lilo & Stitch sequel is slated for release on 26 May 2028, which makes it the second big Disney release of that year, alongside the studio’s other major franchise sequel, The Incredibles 3.




