The cast list for Lilo & Stitch’s live-action movie has officially been announced.
While some new characters will be introduced, the story will closely follow the original storyline, focusing on the deep bond between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a foreign blue alien named Stitch a.k.a Experiment 626.
Several cast members from the original flick are returning, including co-writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who created and voiced Stitch. Initially, Sanders started his career as a character designer for Jim Henson‘s Muppet Babies. He created Stitch in 1985 for a children’s book proposal that was not accepted.
After contributing to several films, including Mulan, as a lead storyboard artist at Disney, the head of feature animation asked Sanders if he had any stories he wanted to share. This conversation ultimately led to the creation of Lilo & Stitch.
Sanders co-wrote and co-directed Lilo & Stitch with Dean DeBlois. He also provided the voice for Stitch in the original film as well as its sequels, including Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005) and Leroy & Stitch (2006).
Meanwhile, Maia Kealoha, a newcomer, will star as Lilo.
In June 2024, Kealoha shared with PEOPLE her reaction to landing the lead role, saying her “jaw literally dropped” and that she “couldn’t even believe it.”
She continued “I rung my dad and I said, ‘I did it! I’m Lilo! I’m Lilo!’ And then they grabbed me and we jumped up and down. I was so excited!”
The cast list also includes NCIS actress Sydney Agudong who will play Nani, Lilo’s older sister and legal guardian, Aladdin actor Billy Magnussen who will portray the role of Pleakley, an alien from the planet of Plorgonar, Hungover star Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Kaipo Dudoit who will play David Kawena, Nani’s love interest, NBC’s Law & Order: Criminal Intent‘s very own Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, a former CIA agent turned Lilo’s social worker, and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham who will portray Grand Councilwoman, the head of the Galactic Federation.
Amy Hill, who voiced Mrs. Hasagawa in the Lilo & Stitch movie will join the cast as a new character named Tutu, Lilo and Nani’s longtime neighbor. Tia Carrere, on the other hand, is reprising her role as Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker who becomes close to Nani.
The live-action version of Disney’s beloved 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch, which earned $273 million globally according to Vulture, is scheduled to debut on May 23, 2025.
