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Warning: Spoilers for Lilo & Stitch (2025) ahead

In the live-action version of the cherished tale Lilo & Stitch, Disney cleverly combines old and fresh aspects, and this approach extends to its cast too. Although many roles from the story of an alien causing havoc on Earth who finds a family were reprised in the remake, some voices familiar from the animated film took on different characters. Unlike many other live-action Disney adaptations, Lilo & Stitch relies heavily on nostalgia through the repetition of several hilarious and iconic scenes directly from the original.

In this revamped version of the animated film, the new cast significantly contributes to giving the narrative a contemporary feel and validating the need for the live-action adaptation. The Rotten Tomatoes ratings for Lilo & Stitch demonstrate that Disney’s approach of merging the past and present is highly successful, as it has garnered some of the best initial reviews for a live-action remake. Although many characters were recast for the live-action, several key figures from the original movie made brief appearances throughout the film.

Chris Sanders Returns As The Voice Of Stitch In The Live-Action Remake

Sanders Also Wrote And Directed The Original Animated Film

In essence, the memorable voice of Stitch, originating from the beloved animated film, was preserved for the live-action version by Disney. They chose not to alter Stitch’s appearance, which had proven popular with audiences, and invited Chris Sanders back to reprise his role as the lovable alien. Beyond providing one of the most distinctive and recognizable voices in Disney’s vast animated library, Sanders is a renowned figure in animation, acclaimed for his filmmaking skills.

63-year-old filmmaker Chris Sanders was responsible for penning and directing the initial “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as numerous other acclaimed animated films over the past two decades, such as “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Croods,” and more recently “The Wild Robot.” Sanders’ work on these four movies earned him Academy Award nominations. In virtually every medium where Stitch has been featured – including direct-to-video sequels, TV series, video games, promotional materials – Sanders has provided the voice for this character, and he did so again for the live-action adaptation.

Tia Carrere Plays A New Character In Lilo & Stitch After Voicing Nani In The Original

Her Role Was A New Addition To The Familiar Story

In the original animated film “Lilo & Stitch,” Tia Carrere lent her voice as Lilo’s big sister, Nani. However, in the live-action adaptation of the movie, she took on a new role entirely. The character of Cobra Bubbles from the animated version was divided between two characters: Courtney B. Vance portrayed the CIA agent aspect, while a fresh character named Mrs. Kekoa handled the social worker responsibilities for Lilo and Nani’s case in the live-action remake. Mrs. Kekoa brings compassion and empathy to her challenging role, making her return particularly appealing for the adaptation.

Jason Scott Lee Has A Cameo In Lilo & Stitch’s Live-Action Remake After Voicing David

He Has A Very Small Role In One Important Scene

In the original “Lilo & Stitch”, Jason Scott Lee portrayed David Kawena, a character who had feelings for Nani and was friends with both her and Lilo. Similar to Tia Carrere, he appeared in a different role for the remake. Specifically, he made a brief appearance as the manager of the luau where Nani worked before Stitch wrecked it. Jason Scott Lee is an accomplished actor and martial artist, best recognized for his part as Mowgli in another Disney live-action adaptation, “The Jungle Book” from 1994. In the remake, David’s role is still present but is played by Kaipo Dudoit instead.

Amy Hill Also Has A Cameo In Lilo & Stitch

She Takes On A Much Larger Role In The Live-Action Movie

In my humble opinion, in the initial release of Lilo & Stitch, Amy Hasagawa donned the spectacles and portrayed the elderly florist lady whom Nani sought employment from during her job search sequence. However, in the live-action reboot, she assumed a fresh character – Tutu, the neighbor of the Pelekai sisters, who shares a residence with David. As a long-standing neighbor, Tutu acts as a surrogate grandmother to Lilo and Nani, providing them with a warm and nurturing presence throughout the film.

Lilo & Stitch Franchise – Key Details
Movie	Release Year	RT Tomatometer Score	RT Popcornmeter Score	Metacritic Metascore	Metacritic User Score
Lilo & Stitch (Animated)	2002	86%	78%	74	8.0
Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)	2025	72%	93%	52	5.0

In reality, Tutu was the one who facilitated Lilo’s adoption of Stitch from the shelter, rather than Nani, who initially allowed it. This character serves not only as a source of support for the two orphaned sisters, but also steps in to provide an alternative living arrangement when Lilo and Nani are destined to be separated. By offering to let Lilo live with her and David, Lilo would still be nearby even if Nani was no longer her primary caretaker. Amy Hill infuses Tutu with a mix of warmth and humor, making her one of the most compelling original characters in the remake.

Why No Other Animated Lilo & Stitch Cast Members Returned For The Live-Action Remake

A New Cast Helps The Live-Action Feel Fresh

In the live-action adaptation, some major characters from the original “Lilo & Stitch” were noticeably absent. Two of the most glaring omissions were Agent Wendell Pleakley, a member of the United Galactic Federation with expertise in Earth matters, and Dr. Jumba Jookiba, the mad scientist who created Experiment 626. Kevin McDonald, a seasoned actor, provided the voice for Pleakley in the original series, while David Ogden Stiers, a renowned Disney voice artist, lent his voice to Jumba. Both actors were integral to Disney’s animated films of the 1990s and 2000s.

In the revamped version of the movie, Billy Magnussen (from “No Time to Die”) took over one actor’s role, while Zach Galifianakis (known for the “Hangover” series) stepped into another’s shoes. Since much of the film’s action features Pleakley and Jumba disguised as human holograms, it was logical to cast fresh, more familiar faces in these roles. Unlike in the original, Courtney B. Vance replaced Ving Rhames as the voice actor for Cobra Bubbles, due to Rhames’ busy schedule, which included filming “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning,” a movie set to premiere alongside “Lilo & Stitch” over Memorial Day Weekend.

In simpler terms, Hannah Waddingham (known from Ted Lasso) took over Zoe Caldwell’s role as the voice of the Grand Councilwoman in the United Galactic Federation, which was one of the few significant changes made aside from the Pelekai sisters. Overhauling major roles is crucial for a successful remake, especially one like Lilo & Stitch that stands out. The new cast members contribute to making the revamped version feel modern, while keeping some original actors on board honors their past performances and stirs up nostalgia among viewers.

2025-05-23 21:38