Disney has finally unveiled the first full trailer for its live-action Lilo & Stitch, offering a closer look at the reimagining of one of the studio’s beloved animated films. Take a look above and learn more below.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, best known for the Oscar-nominated Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, the film introduces newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl struggling with loneliness after the loss of her parents. Her life changes when she crosses paths with Stitch, a destructive alien experiment who crash-lands on Earth. Chris Sanders, who co-wrote and co-directed the 2002 original, returns to voice Stitch in this new take.
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The live-action cast includes Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Lilo’s older sister Nani, along with Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, Hannah Waddingham, and Courtney B. Vance. A few familiar names from the animated film also make appearances, including Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee.
After a handful of teasers, the nearly two-and-a-half-minute trailer gives a better sense of what the film has in store, showcasing the familiar themes of found family and belonging, balanced with some of the chaotic alien antics fans might expect. The project was originally in development for Disney+, but it eventually made the jump to a full theatrical release.
The screenplay was penned by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, working from an earlier draft by Mike Van Waes. Producing duties are handled by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich for Rideback, with Ryan Halprin serving as executive producer.
The original Lilo & Stitch, released in 2002, was co-written and co-directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois in their directorial debuts. The offbeat sci-fi comedy was a hit for Disney, earning over $US273 million at the global box office from a production budget of $US80 million, and securing a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards. Its success helped launch a franchise that included three direct-to-video sequels and three television series.
The live-action Lilo & Stitch will be opening in Australian cinemas on 22 May and in the United States on 23 May.
