You Won’t Believe Which 9 Original Lilo & Stitch Characters Are Back in the Live-Action Movie!

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Lovers of the initial Disney movie are sure to identify with the familiar faces in the Lilo and Stitch crew.

The live-action version of the 2002 animated film “Lilo and Stitch,” entitled Disney’s newest remake, will be hitting theaters on May 23rd. Starring Maia Kealoha and original writer-director Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch, this adaptation also brings back several beloved (and perhaps unexpected) characters from the animated version for their live-action debuts.

Original Lilo and Stitch Characters Confirmed for 2025 Movie

Lilo 

In the movie “Lilo and Stitch“, Lilo Peleka, who adores Elvis, is a young girl dealing with feelings of loneliness, sorrow, and being brought up by her elder sister following the loss of her parents. She takes it upon herself to adopt Stitch, thinking he’s a canine friend, and guides him in learning about the idea of family.

Previously stated, the newcomer, Maia Kealoha, has been chosen to play live-action Lilo in the remake, and just like her character, she hails from Hawaii. At six years old, she was initially cast for the 2025 film, and it appears that she will breathe life into Lilo’s cheerful disposition. However, viewers who are familiar with the story know that Maia will also need to tackle some emotionally challenging scenes, such as arguments with her sister and dealing with the grief of losing her parents.

Stitch

In the upcoming production, since Chris Sanders is taking on his role as Stitch again, and given that Stitch is essentially an animated character, he’s the character most likely to remain unchanged for audiences, much like how they remember him from the 2002 movie. Interestingly, Disney’s marketing campaign features CGI Stitch performing similar promotional stunts as the original 2002 animated version did.

An alien genetically engineered for disorder and devastation, named Experiment 626, is rechristened as Stitch when he disguises himself as a pet dog and gets adopted by Lilo. It’s through his bond with her that he learns about the concept of family, or ‘ohana, and ends up being the stabilizing force, much like a stitch on fabric, that holds the Pelekai family unit together.

Nani

In the movie Lilo and Stitch, Nani Pelekai is Lilo’s older sibling who faces challenges in caring for her younger sister and maintaining employment, all while social worker Cobra Bubbles questions whether she can effectively serve as Lilo’s guardian. Simultaneously, she finds herself the recipient of romantic attention from a friend and colleague named David.

In Disney’s remake, actress Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, known from shows like NCIS and West Michigan, takes on the role of Nani. Unlike the original character, Sydney portrays a Nani who was once an accomplished straight-A student with a promising future. However, she now finds herself in financial difficulties while also grappling with the emotionally taxing responsibility of preventing her sister from entering foster care. This information is shared by Knight Edge Media.

Jumba

Dr. Jumba Jookiba, a convicted alien scientist, crafted Stitch/Experiment 626 through illicit genetic tinkering within the Galactic Federation. However, when Stitch breaks free and lands on Earth, Jumba is granted early release with the condition that he recaptures the escaped alien. In this quest, Dr. Jumba enlists the aid of Agent Pleakley, an expert from the council’s Earth division, to help him complete his mission.

In the 2025 movie, Zach Galifianakis, known for his roles in “The Hangover” and “Only Murders in the Building,” isn’t just lending his voice to Dr. Jumba but will also portray him as a human character. However, the promotional materials hint that Dr. Jumba will still be working alongside Agent Pleakley and is expected to bring humor to the film.

Pleakley

In the animated film, it’s worth mentioning that Agent Pleakley, voiced by Kevin McDonald, was the Earth Expert for the Galactic Federation, known for his anxious demeanor. To conceal his extraterrestrial nature, he donned various costumes and amusing disguises.

However, in the 2025 film, Billy Magnussen (from “Game Night” and “No Time to Die”) portrays Pleakley, a character who appears as both a human and an animated being, similar to Jumba. Some fans are not overly excited about this change.

Discover the reaction of the director for “Lilo and Stitch” regarding the contentious choice about Pleakley in the remake, right here!

Cobra Bubbles

Initially portrayed by Ving Rhames, Cobra Bubbles is a character who dons sunglasses and combines an imposing demeanor with a likable charm. His role in the story is that of a social worker tasked with assessing Nani’s ability to care for Lilo. By the film’s conclusion, it was revealed that he had prior experience dealing with extraterrestrials from the government.

In a departure from the animated version, Emmy-winning actor Courtney B. Vance, known for roles in “The Hunt for Red October” and “Space Cowboys”, is set to portray Cobra Bubbles in the live-action adaptation. Unlike his animated counterpart who helped Nani with social work, it seems that Vance’s character will emphasize Cobra Bubbles’ CIA background and past encounters with extraterrestrials.

David

2002’s “Lilo and Stitch” saw me, in the role of David, a skilled fire twirler, taking a breather from my relationship with Nani, as we ventured out to the ocean for a fun-filled day surfing. The Pelekai sisters surely appreciated this respite!

In the new adaptation, David, portrayed by Kaipo Dudoit, is now a student at a Hawaiian community college (as reported by Knight Edge Media). Just like in the original, he continues to surf and work at the luau alongside Nani. The animated film hints at Nani and David forming an official relationship after the movie ends; it will be intriguing to observe if this occurs earlier or plays a more significant role in the remake’s narrative.

Grand Councilwoman

In the beloved animated series, it was Zoe Caldwell, an extraterrestrial commander within the Galactic Federation, who ordered Jumba and Pleakley to journey to Earth with the mission of capturing Experiment 626, a role she played as the Grand Councilwoman.

Hannah Waddingham, famously known for her role as Rebecca in Ted Lasso, is set to breathe life into the Grand Councilwoman in the 2025 movie. What intrigues us is how her portrayal will deviate from the original and whether her character has any prior encounters with Earth, as part of its past.

Ice Cream Man

At the start of Lilo and Stitch, Lilo pauses to capture a picture of a sunburned man on the beach, coincidentally as his ice cream slides off its cone. This scene not only provided viewers with insights into Lilo’s character, but it also showcased the film’s distinctive humor style.

In Disney’s updated movie version, you’ll notice that the Ice Cream Vendor is present too. Unlike before, he’s seen munching on a snow cone. Interestingly, this very snow cone drops right when Jumba and Pleakley suddenly appear in a startling manner.

Check out where to get the Lilo and Stitch popcorn bucket (with a Stitch plush!) here. 

Lilo and Stitch arrives in theaters on Friday, May 23. 

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2025-05-19 11:05