Movies - Lilo And Stitch : The Highly Anticipated Live-Action Remake Unveils Its First Official Trailer

By Mulder, 12 march 2025

The announcement of the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch immediately generated excitement among Disney animation fans and enthusiasts of the beloved 2002 film. Scheduled for a theatrical release on May 23, 2025, in the United States and May 21 in France, this ambitious project aligns with Disney’s ongoing trend of reimagining its animated classics in a live-action format. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the film aims to capture the magic of the original while offering a fresh perspective on its touching and unique story. The production has been in development since its initial announcement in 2018 and has undergone numerous creative changes over the years. One of the most significant highlights of this adaptation is the return of Chris Sanders, the original co-writer and co-director, reprising his iconic voice role as Stitch after several intense recording sessions. The cast features Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Agudong as Nani, Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba Jookiba, and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, along with several original voice actors such as Tia Carrere and Amy Hill in new roles.

The film remains faithful to its core story, following Lilo, a lonely Hawaiian girl, who adopts Stitch, a genetically-engineered alien created for chaos and destruction. Amidst intergalactic chases and social service interventions, the narrative revolves around themes of family, redemption, and embracing differences. While staying true to the original plot, this remake benefits from cutting-edge visual effects, with Industrial Light & Magic bringing Stitch to life using advanced CGI technology. The first official glimpse of live-action Stitch was revealed at the 2024 D23 convention, receiving overwhelmingly positive reactions from both fans and critics. The anticipation surrounding the film has been further fueled by a meticulously planned marketing campaign that mirrors the nostalgic promotional strategies of the original 2002 film, featuring crossover elements with other Disney franchises.

Today, Disney released the much-awaited first official trailer for Lilo & Stitch, finally giving audiences a glimpse at the highly anticipated live-action adaptation. The trailer, which opens with the breathtaking Hawaiian scenery that defined the original film, quickly introduces the mischievous blue experiment, Stitch, in his first on-screen moments. True to his character, he is seen causing trouble, running across a sandy beach before coming across Lilo’s carefully built sandcastle. In a direct nod to the marketing of the 2002 animated film, Stitch wreaks havoc by demolishing the castle, much like how the character interrupted other Disney movies in his original campaign. The trailer’s lighthearted tone, comedic moments, and heartwarming family dynamics immediately evoke a sense of nostalgia, reinforcing the emotional depth that made the original Lilo & Stitch such a classic.

The trailer also offers brief but significant glimpses of the supporting characters, including Nani, the overburdened older sister trying to raise Lilo while dealing with social services, and Cobra Bubbles, the strict yet caring social worker. The alien duo of Jumba and Pleakley also make an appearance, with their designs closely resembling their animated counterparts. Meanwhile, the heart of the film—Lilo’s connection with Stitch—is highlighted through various touching moments, including their iconic bonding scene with Elvis Presley's music playing in the background. The trailer ends with a moment of chaos as Stitch escapes from his captors, setting up the high-energy adventure that awaits in the full film.

In addition to the trailer, Disney also unveiled a new theatrical poster featuring a close-up of Stitch, emphasizing his blue fur, big ears, and mischievous yet lovable expression. This poster, combined with the visuals in the trailer, confirms that the production team has taken great care in preserving the essence of the original character while upgrading him with state-of-the-art CGI. Fans were also delighted to see the humorous nod to The Lion King, where Stitch is lifted into the air in the same manner as baby Simba in The Lion King (1994), reinforcing the playful and crossover-heavy marketing approach.

Behind the dazzling trailer and stunning CGI work, the production of Lilo & Stitch has faced numerous hurdles. Initially set to be directed by Jon M. Chu, the project later moved to Dean Fleischer Camp due to scheduling conflicts. The screenplay was rewritten by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright to ensure a faithful yet modernized adaptation that respects the cultural roots of the story. However, the film’s casting choices sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding the selection of Sydney Agudong as Nani and Kahiau Machado as David Kawena. Accusations of colorism and whitewashing emerged due to their lighter skin tones compared to their animated counterparts. In response to the backlash, Disney recast Machado with Kaipo Dudoit. Additionally, production was briefly halted in April 2023 when a fire broke out on set in Haleiwa, causing approximately $200,000 in damages and delaying filming. The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike further disrupted the schedule, forcing a temporary production shutdown before resuming in early 2024.

Despite these obstacles, the film successfully completed its principal photography in March 2024, and the visual effects team has since been refining Stitch’s look and interactions with human characters. The film’s score, composed by Dan Romer, promises to blend Hawaiian musical influences with orchestral arrangements, ensuring an emotionally resonant soundtrack that enhances the narrative. Given the overwhelmingly positive response to the trailer, Lilo & Stitch appears poised to be a major box-office hit upon its release.

When the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch was initially announced, Disney had planned for a direct-to-streaming release on Disney+. However, following the success of recent live-action remakes and the increasing demand for theatrical experiences, the company made a strategic decision to release the film in cinemas worldwide. This shift indicates Disney’s confidence in the project’s appeal to a broad audience, from nostalgic fans of the original to a new generation eager to discover the magic of Lilo and Stitch’s story.

With a significant budget, a well-rounded cast, and the latest visual effects technology, this remake has the potential to be one of Disney’s biggest hits of 2025. As the release date approaches, additional promotional materials, exclusive sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes features are expected to keep the hype alive. For now, the first official trailer has successfully reignited the excitement and love for one of Disney’s most beloved animated films, and fans around the world eagerly await the full experience when it hits theaters next summer.

Synopsis :
The touching and funny story of a lonely little Hawaiian girl and a fugitive alien who helps her reconnect with her family.

Lilo & Stitch
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp
Written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes
Based on Lilo & Stitch by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
Produced by Dan Lin, Jonathan Eirich
Starring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Courtney B. Vance, Chris Sanders
Cinematography : Nigel Bluck
Music by Dan Romer
Production companies : Walt Disney Pictures, Rideback
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures : May 21, 2025 (France), , May 23, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 120 minutes