There’s trouble in paradise once again, and this time, it’s coming in CGI. Disney has finally unveiled the first full trailer for its live-action Lilo & Stitch, offering a proper look at how director Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) is bringing Experiment 626 into a new dimension.
Following a series of teasers, including a Super Bowl commercial and a Mufasa: The Lion King spoof, the latest footage dives deeper into the familiar story. Stitch’s chaotic arrival on Earth, his unexpected friendship with Lilo, and the wild misadventures that follow all take centre stage. The film stars newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Agudong (On My Block) as Nani, while Chris Sanders (The Wild Robot) returns to voice the mischievous blue alien.
A closer look at the trailer reveals glimpses of Courtney B. Vance (The Hunt for Red October) as Cobra Bubbles, Billy Magnussen (Into the Woods) as Agent Pleakley, and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as Dr. Jumba, each played by their live-action counterparts before seemingly shifting into their alien forms. The recreation of iconic scenes, such as Lilo adopting Stitch from the shelter and delivering her heartfelt “Ohana means family” speech, suggests that the film will closely follow the beats of the 2002 classic.
Disney’s trend of turning animated favourites into live-action has received mixed reactions in recent years, with some projects sticking closely to their predecessors while others take creative liberties. Lilo & Stitch appears to lean toward a faithful adaptation, banking on nostalgia rather than reinventing the story. That approach raises the question of whether audiences will embrace a near-identical retelling or if they’ll simply prefer revisiting the original.
With its release just two months after the live-action Snow White adaptation, Lilo & Stitch continues Disney’s push to modernise its animated library. Whether it becomes a new fan favorite or simply reminds audiences why they loved the original remains to be seen.
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch opens in cinemas on 23 May.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
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