Disney’s live-actionLilo & Stitchfinally reveals its full trailer. Set to release this May, the upcoming movie will revisit and reimagine the beloved 2002 animated movie, which follows a young girl who befriends a wild alien from outer space. Chris Sander returns to voice Stitch, while newcomer Maia Kealoha will portray Lilo. Other members oftheLilo & Stitchcastinclude Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnnussen, Courtney B. Vance, and Hannah Waddingham.
After several teasers,Disneyhasfinally unveiled the official trailer forLilo & Stitch, releasing May 23. The nearly two-and-a-half-minute video dives into the familiar story and reveals more of the cast in action. Check it out below:
What This Means For Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch Is Keeping Things Familiar (Perhaps For Good Reason)
So far, Disney’s marketing efforts for the live-actionLilo & Stitchhavekept their focus solely on the titular alien. There have been various teasers showing off Stitch’s design, such as one timed to the release ofMufasa: The Lion Kingspoofing that franchise’s iconography anda Super Bowl commercial featuring Stitchrunning around a football field. With only two months to go beforeLilo & Stitch’s release, it was about time for Disney to fully pull back the curtain on the upcoming movie.
On the surface, it looks likethe live-action remake will stick very closely to the original animated film. When it comes toDisney’s various live-action remakes, previous efforts have either perfectly resembled their predecessors (such as 2019’sThe Lion King) or offered a completely different take (as seen withMulan).Lilo & Stitch, already drawing from a beloved story of unexpected friendship, doesn’t seem interested in switching things up.
The above trailer covers Stitch and Lilo’s first meeting and Stitch’s uneasy integration into human life. Aside from brief looks at characters such as Cobra Bubbles (Vance) and Agent Pleakley (Magnussen), it mostly turns its attention to the two titular characters, perhaps out of a desire to remind viewers of how much they enjoy the central dynamic. By offering more of what audiences remember,Lilo & Stitchis appealing to fans of the originaland building on that goodwill.
Disney’s Remake Trend Is Exhausting, But This Could Work
Image via Disney
Disney’s trend of remaking its animated movies into live-action has grown increasingly tiring, and at first glance,Lilo & Stitchdoesn’t seem to offer much that will rejuvenate the trend. Based on how similar the two movies seem to be,one might wonder why they just don’t revisit the 2002 original. However, at the same time,Lilo & Stitchcould prove to be a winner entirely because of its predecessor.
The newLilo & Stitchwill feature appearances from original cast members, including Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee.
Getting Stitch’s design right was vital and, as Disney has already proven, director Dean Fleischer Camp has definitely recreated the adorable creature’s blend of chaotic mischief and wide-eyed earnestness. Assuming the rest of the movie can recapture that original magic,Lilo & Stitchmight become the perfect companion to the original,one that can appeal to a new generation while offering a fresh perspectivefor those who, like me, grew up with these characters.
