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The Ultimate Guide To Disney's Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Cast: 10 Stars And Shocking Plot Changes Revealed

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The excitement surrounding Disney's live-action adaptation of *Lilo & Stitch* has reached a fever pitch, with the film slated for a highly anticipated release on May 23, 2025. This new iteration promises to bring the beloved Hawaiian story of a young girl and her alien "dog" to life with a cast that emphasizes authentic cultural representation and features a mix of fresh new talent and established Hollywood veterans. The casting choices, particularly for the Pelekai sisters, have been a major focus, ensuring the heart of the original 2002 animated classic remains intact while introducing some notable changes to the beloved narrative. The production has been meticulous in selecting actors who embody the spirit of Kauaʻi and the deep connection to *ʻohana* (family) that defines the story. With the film moving towards its theatrical debut, the full ensemble cast has been confirmed, revealing who will be stepping into the iconic roles of Lilo, Nani, David, and the various alien characters who crash-land in the tranquil Hawaiian Islands.

Meet the New 'Ohana: Complete Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Cast List (2025)

The live-action *Lilo & Stitch* cast is a carefully curated blend of local Hawaiian talent and major Hollywood names, all working to honor the film's setting and themes.
  • Maia Kealoha as Lilo Pelekai: A young, debut actress from Hawaiʻi, Kealoha won the coveted role of the eccentric and loving six-year-old girl who adopts Experiment 626.
  • Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani Pelekai: The older sister and guardian of Lilo, Nani is played by Kauaʻi-born actress and singer Sydney Elizabeth Agudong.
  • Chris Sanders as the Voice of Stitch: The original co-director and voice of the mischievous alien Experiment 626 is reprising his iconic role for the live-action film.
  • Zach Galifianakis as Jumba Jookiba: The eccentric, self-proclaimed evil genius who created Stitch is played by the star known for *The Hangover* and *Baskets*.
  • Billy Magnussen as Pleakley: The Galactic Federation's expert on Earth, who is Jumba’s reluctant partner, is played by the actor known for *Game Night* and *Aladdin*.
  • Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles: The former CIA agent turned social worker is played by the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor.
  • Kaipo Dudoit as David Kawena: Nani’s kind and supportive love interest is played by the Hawaiian actor, ensuring local authenticity for the beloved character.
  • Hannah Waddingham as the Grand Councilwoman: The head of the Galactic Federation, originally voiced by Zoe Caldwell, is now played by the Emmy-winning star of *Ted Lasso*.
  • Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa: Carrere, who voiced Nani in the original animated film, returns in a new role as a local social worker.
  • Amy Hill as Tūtū: A new character, Tūtū (Hawaiian for "grandmother"), is introduced and played by veteran actress Amy Hill.

Spotlight on the Pelekai Sisters: Maia Kealoha and Sydney Elizabeth Agudong

The casting of the two main characters, Lilo and Nani Pelekai, was arguably the most crucial decision for the film's success. Disney prioritized casting Native Hawaiian or Polynesian actors to honor the cultural setting and the original story's creators' intent.

Maia Kealoha: Lilo Pelekai's Heartfelt Debut

Maia Kealoha is a true newcomer to the world of feature films. The role of Lilo Pelekai marks her professional acting debut, a massive undertaking for a young star. * Birthdate: December 15, 2016. * Origin: Hawaiʻi, USA. * Career Milestone: She was just 5 years old when she first auditioned for the role, capturing the hearts of the casting team. * Significance: Her casting as a young Hawaiian actress underscores Disney’s commitment to authentic representation for the character of Lilo, who is a six-year-old Native Hawaiian girl. Kealoha’s inexperience is seen as a strength, allowing her to bring a raw, natural, and genuine quality to Lilo’s unique mix of eccentricity, passion for hula, and deep loneliness.

Sydney Elizabeth Agudong: Bringing Nani Home

The casting of Nani Pelekai, Lilo's older sister and struggling guardian, was met with intense scrutiny, but Disney found their star in Sydney Elizabeth Agudong. * Birthdate: November 13, 2000. * Origin: Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi. Her deep connection to the "Garden Isle" brings a lived experience to the role of Nani. * Previous Roles: Agudong is an accomplished actress and singer. Her previous work includes roles in the CBS series *NCIS* and the films *Infamously in Love* and *West Michigan*. She was also a series regular on the Lionsgate-produced Netflix series, *Electric Bloom*. * Cultural Impact: Agudong's casting, as a Kauaʻi native, was a powerful move to ensure the character of Nani was portrayed by someone with a genuine understanding of the Hawaiian culture and the struggles of the Pelekai family. Her background as a singer also hints at the possibility of a musical element in the live-action remake, a detail fans are eagerly anticipating.

Veterans and Voice Actors: The Star-Studded Supporting Cast

While the young leads anchor the film, the supporting cast is filled with familiar faces and a welcome return for a beloved voice artist, adding significant topical authority to the production.

The Return of Chris Sanders and Tia Carrere

One of the most exciting announcements was the return of Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch. Sanders co-directed and voiced the character in the original film, making his reprisal a vital link to the animated classic and a nod to the fans. Equally significant is the return of Tia Carrere. Carrere, who is a Hawaiian actress, originally voiced Nani. In the live-action version, she takes on the new role of Mrs. Kekoa, a local social worker. This decision is a clever way to honor a legacy cast member while introducing a new narrative element that focuses on the sisters' struggle to remain together.

Hollywood Heavyweights in Galactic Roles

The alien contingent is played by major comedic and dramatic actors, suggesting a fresh take on the classic dynamic. * Zach Galifianakis as Jumba and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley bring a new comedic energy to the alien duo. The trailer footage suggests that the live-action version may slightly alter their relationship or presentation, perhaps making them less of a classic villain/sidekick pair and more of a mismatched buddy-cop comedy team. * Hannah Waddingham, famous for her role as Rebecca Welton in *Ted Lasso*, is perfectly cast as the authoritative and dry-witted Grand Councilwoman. Her powerful on-screen presence is a fitting replacement for the original voice actor, Zoe Caldwell.

The New Cobra Bubbles and Plot Changes

The casting of Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles is a masterstroke. Vance, a highly decorated actor, brings a gravitas and warmth necessary for the character who is essentially the sisters' social worker and a former CIA agent. Interestingly, the live-action film is confirmed to feature some significant plot changes that will affect the roles of these characters and create new dramatic tension: 1. Captain Gantu’s Removal: Early reports indicate that the alien antagonist Captain Gantu, a major figure in the original film and subsequent franchise, has been removed from the live-action storyline. This suggests a re-focusing on the core emotional narrative between Lilo, Nani, and Stitch, rather than the large-scale alien pursuit. 2. New Characters: The addition of Amy Hill as Tūtū and Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa introduces new layers to the *ʻohana* and the social services elements of the story, potentially replacing or merging some of the functions of the original Councilwoman and Cobra Bubbles' roles. 3. Focus on Nani’s Future: The remake is set to give more focus to Nani’s future and her responsibilities as a young guardian, deepening the emotional stakes of her struggle to keep her family together. This new ensemble cast and the subtle narrative shifts signal that the *Lilo & Stitch* live-action remake aims to be more than a simple shot-for-shot recreation. Instead, it seems poised to be a culturally resonant, emotionally rich, and updated tribute to the power of finding your *ʻohana*, even if it's broken or a little bit—or a lot—alien. The blend of debut Hawaiian talent and veteran stars is the perfect formula to deliver a film that will resonate with both long-time fans and a new generation of Disney viewers when it hits theaters in May 2025.
lilo and stitch live-action cast
lilo and stitch live-action cast

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