Disney is back at it again with the live-action remakes, this time revisiting beloved animated franchiseLilo & Stitchfor a new movie. The remake was firstannouncedabout five years ago but has seen little movement since until July of last year. Now,The Hollywood Reporterrevealed that the movie has found its first cast member inZach Galifianakis. At this time, there’s no public information regarding which character he will play. THR also reported that a casting search for Lilo and her older sister Nani is underway.
Lilo & Stitchfirst made waves back in the early 2000s with the animated Disney original movie. It followed Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl who’s raised by her 19-year-old sister Nani after their parents died suddenly. When Stitch, a dog-like alien, lands on Earth, Lilo soon finds and adopts him. Things quickly turn chaotic afterward, as Stitch is an unauthorized experiment now on the run and social services is breathing down Nani’s neck.
The 2002 feature became a fast hit for Disney and cemented itself as a childhood staple for many. Shortly after its release, it received the television treatment. The two-season show now saw Lilo and Stitch in a comfortable and chaotic routine as they tracked down other experiments that landed in Hawaii before they were caught by the wrong people. Three additional movies were later released within the franchise:Stitch! The Movie,Lilo & Stitch 2, andLeroy & Stitch.
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Galifianakis Has Previously Starred in Family-Geared Projects
For many, Galifianakis' name is synonymous with comedies such asThe Hangovermovies,Due Date,The Campaign, and more – very non-family friendly movies. However, he’s also the perfect choice for a movie likeLilo & Stitch, as he’s taken on live-action and animated roles in projects the whole family can enjoy. Most recently, he recurred inBob’s Burgersand its movie as Felix Fischoeder. He also lent his voice to movies includingRon’s Gone WrongandThe Lego Batman Movie, along with appearing in live-action features likeThe Muppets.
The live-actionLilo & Stitchadaptation was written byChris Kekaniokalani Bright, withMarcel the Shell’sDean Fleischer Camptaking over as director fromJon M. Chu. Rideback’sDan LinandJonathan Eirichact as producers, withRyan Halprinas executive producer.
TheLilo & Stitchremake currently has no projected release window, but it’s expected to debut on Disney+. The original movies and show are currently streaming on Disney+.
