Next summer, Disney is releasing a new live-action version of its classic animated film, “Lilo & Stitch”, which tells the story of Stitch, a runaway genetic experiment from a faraway planet, who wreaks havoc on the Hawaiian Islands and becomes the mischievous adopted alien “puppy” of an independent little girl named Lilo, and together they learn about loyalty, friendship and ‘ohana, the Hawaiian tradition of family.

The new live-action film has been directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and produced by Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin.

It stars Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere and Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance and Zach Galifianakis.

Recently, Billy Magnussen, who plays Pleakley, an eccentric alien tasked with capturing Stitch but who ultimately falls in love with Earth and all its quirks, spoke with Collider to discuss his new film “Coup!”.  During that interview, Billy shared a little information on the upcoming film:

“Being an alien with Zach Galifianakis in Hawaii, I’m not upset. I’m not upset at all about that. The opportunity to play such a character as Pleakley and just be crazy, which I love doing, was a gift. I don’t know even what I can say or really do. It was a treat. I can’t express it. I’ve been finally doing some ADR stuff for the film, and I’m like, “Oh, it’s gonna be good.” It’s gonna be good.”

Billy also spoke fondly about his time on set with Maia Kealoha, who plays Lilo in the new film.

“If I can make the little girl laugh, I was like, ‘I’m doing it right!’”

One of the biggest issues with the live-action versions of Disney’s animated classics is how they compare to the original movie. Some of Disney’s reimagined films have been more different than others, and Billy explained how this new film is a little different.

“I hope they embrace it as its own story. When they make these live-action films, sometimes I think people hold on to what the other one was, and they’re not in competition.”

While the film still celebrates the same core themes of family and belonging, he hopes that people will be open to the possibility that it might be a little different from the original.

The original “Lilo & Stitch” animated film, along with its many sequels, is available to stream on Disney+, and the new live-action movie will be out in cinemas in the summer of 2025.  Originally, the movie was going to be released directly onto Disney+, but it will not get a theatrical release before its Disney+ release.

Are you looking forward to watching the new “Lilo & Stitch” film?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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