‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake Ignites Debate Over “Harmful” Changes to Original’s Story

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The live-action adaptation of Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” which premiered during Memorial Day weekend in 20XX, broke records as the biggest opening ever. However, this reimagining of the 2002 animated classic about a Hawaiian girl and her mischievous extraterrestrial companion has stirred up considerable discussion due to alterations made to the storyline, particularly its conclusion, causing much debate among fans.

A recent popular post on X (previously known as Twitter) pointed out that a pivotal scene in the first movie where Nani and Lilo form their bond based on the Hawaiian concept of “ohana” has been altered in the newer version. This observation prompted another user to suggest that the film could be seen as promoting propaganda that supports colonizing Hawaii. (Warning: spoilers ahead.) The subsequent comment, which garnered over 200,000 likes, sparked a heated discussion about the revised ending, where Nani (portrayed by Sydney Elizebeth Agudong) leaves for college in California and decides to relinquish custody of her younger sister Lilo (Maia Kealoha) to the state, with their neighbor taking charge. In contrast, in the original film, Nani continued to serve as Lilo’s legal guardian.

According to author Mariah Rigg, who was born and raised in Oahu, the original movie had a strong theme against the carceral system, particularly foster care, Stitch’s imprisonment, and the colonial system in Hawaii. She found the ending of the remake surprising because she believes it perpetuates the narrative of Hawaiians being displaced from their ancestral lands, as Nani leaving the state seems to support this trend. Additionally, there is a discussion about how ‘ohana means family’ doesn’t accurately represent the ending, but on a larger scale, it’s harmful due to its contribution to the narrative of Hawaiians being removed from Hawaiian lands.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp’s live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch” garnered an unexpectedly large fan base during its initial four-day release, earning more at the global box office than the original film made throughout its entire run. Critics generally praised the new movie, with a 69% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes; The Hollywood Reporter’s review described it as “faithful enough to the original to appease traditionalists while still feeling somewhat new.” Prior to this month, the “Lilo & Stitch” franchise was already among Disney’s top ten most successful merchandise franchises, generating an estimated $2.6 billion in sales last year.

Delia Konzett, a professor at the University of New Hampshire who discusses the original film in her book “Hollywood’s Hawaii“, praises “Lilo & Stitch” for making a Hawaiian family the focus and introducing a Hawaiian love interest for Nani. However, she also points out parts of its plot that perpetuate stereotypes, such as portraying Elvis Presley as synonymous with Hawaii and depicting a CIA agent as a friendly government figure, which might lessen the mistrust Hawaiians may have toward U.S. officials managing the islands in reality.

Konzett explains to THR that the principle of ‘ohana’, which encompasses an extended family including the entire community, would conflict with Nani giving Lilo to the state because ‘ohana’ emphasizes self-governance within the community rather than relying on government intervention. Furthermore, she notes that while mainland audiences may not fully grasp this, Hawaiian audiences are divided about the commercialization of Hawaii in terms of tourism, which they see as perpetuating exoticized Pacific fantasies.

According to Fleischer Camp, he believes that the original film presented Nani in an overly idealistic light considering her difficult childhood. On Tuesday, the director shared appreciation on social media from a fan who found the remake’s conclusion more authentic and discussed her personal experience as a young mother. Fleischer Camp commented, “It appears that those who have lived through similar experiences are the ones who connect most deeply with this ending.

Over time, movies filmed in Hawaii have faced criticism due to a lack of local representation, such as the use of brownface in Charlton Heston’s 1970 movie “The Hawaiians” and the casting of Emma Stone as a character of Chinese and Hawaiian descent in “Aloha” (2015). While some social media users have criticized actress Agudong for being lighter-skinned than Nani was depicted in the animated film, people who spoke to THR argue that the casting mirrors the ethnic makeup of Hawaii. However, a recent Hawaii-set project that received criticism for its all-white lead cast was the first season of HBO’s popular series “The White Lotus.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but notice the colonial vibe in HBO’s show’s first season, “The White Lotus.” Unlike the original “Lilo & Stitch,” which sparked meaningful conversations about the exploitation of Hawaiian labor and the limited opportunities for Hawaiian employees due to systemic inequalities and education barriers, this new series fails to put a strong focus on the Hawaiian characters. Instead, the Hawaiian residents are either sidelined or completely absent from the storyline.

As a dedicated Disney fan, I can’t help but appreciate their presence in Hawaii, particularly at Aulani, a beachside resort that opened its doors in 2011. This magical place even features Stitch making surprise visits to guests around the pool! However, it’s been pointed out by Konzett that while this hotel undeniably offers jobs for locals, it also contributes to the growing tourist entertainment complex. Instead of offering a genuine cultural experience, it seems to transform the islands into a Disney-themed playground. To be honest, I feel that while Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” may promote Hawaii in harmony with the resort, it appears more as an extension of the broader Disney franchise rather than a heartfelt connection with the Hawaiian culture.

James Sereno, a Hawaiian filmmaker, applauds the latest version of “Lilo & Stitch” for enlisting Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, a local writer, to contribute to the script and has heard positive feedback from residents who have seen the remake. Sereno is hopeful about upcoming productions with a Hawaiian theme such as Jason Momoa’s Apple TV+ series “Chief of War” and 20th Century’s planned crime film by Martin Scorsese and Dwayne Johnson. While acknowledging potential complexities surrounding a white director like Scorsese helming the project, Sereno primarily focuses on whether the narrative will be presented authentically.

As a fan, I can relate to his sentiments. The challenge of deciding who gets to narrate these stories is indeed tough, not just for Hawaiian tales, but for any narrative. Martin Scorsese, a personal hero of mine, has an opportunity to share this story from his unique perspective, and hopefully, it will make it to the big screen. Whether it’s extremely authentic or not, I can only speculate. But I certainly hope that they incorporate local voices and listen to our stories to create an authentic portrayal.

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2025-05-30 21:55