Disney’s beloved 2002 animated film “Lilo & Stitch” is getting a live-action remake, and after years of waiting, the first star has finally been cast. According to reports, Zach Galifianakis, the well-known comedy actor from “The Hangover” and “Baskets,” has signed on for an undisclosed role in the upcoming movie.
Set in Hawaii, the original “Lilo & Stitch” tells the story of a young girl named Lilo who adopts a mischievous alien whom she believes to be a dog. The film was both a critical and commercial success, and it remains a beloved classic among Disney fans to this day.
While details about the live-action remake are still scarce, it has been confirmed that the iconic character of Stitch will be a CGI creation. Meanwhile, the search is on for actresses to play Lilo and her older sister Nana.
Looking at the original lineup of human characters in “Lilo & Stitch,” it’s unclear which role Galifianakis will play in the live-action remake. However, one possibility is that he could take on the role of Dr. Jumba Jookiba, the alien mad scientist who created Stitch and was sent to Earth to retrieve him.
Jumba was voiced by the late David Ogden Stiers in the original film, and it remains to be seen whether Galifianakis will appear on camera in alien makeup or if Jumba will be entirely CGI with the actor providing only his voice and possibly motion capture.
The live-action “Lilo & Stitch” will be directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, who recently directed the Oscar-nominated short film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.” Meanwhile, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright is writing the script for the new movie.
Unlike many of Disney’s live-action remakes, “Lilo & Stitch” will not receive a theatrical release. Instead, it will be available exclusively on Disney+ for subscribers to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.
With the casting of Zach Galifianakis, fans of “Lilo & Stitch” are eagerly anticipating further announcements about the production of the new movie. Will more big-name stars join the cast? What other changes will be made to the story and characters? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” is sure to be a must-watch for Disney fans of all ages.