Disney’s upcoming Lilo & Stitch live-action remake is shaping up to be a heartwarming trip back to Hawaii, and young star Maia Kealoha is sharing her experience working with the mischievous blue alien we all love—Stitch! The film, which reimagines the beloved 2002 animated classic, follows the bond between Lilo (Kealoha), a spirited Hawaiian girl, and Stitch, a chaotic but lovable alien hiding on Earth. With Chris Sanders reprising his iconic voice role as Stitch, alongside a stellar cast including Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, and Hannah Waddingham, fans are buzzing with anticipation.
Kealoha, during a chat with Entertainment Weekly at the Moana 2 premiere in Hawaii, spilled the tea on acting alongside a CGI Stitch. For the 9-year-old actress, the trick was embracing her imagination. “You have to be a big imaginator to make it feel real,” she said, adding with a giggle, “You gotta imaginate it! Pretend he’s there, like, ‘Yeah, I got this.’”
And her adorable energy doesn’t stop there. Kealoha joked about future roles: “Maybe next time, there’s a talking donkey, and I’ll be like, ‘That’s not real,’ but I’ll imaginate it anyway!”
Fans can rest assured that Stitch’s quirky, impish personality remains intact, as the marketing materials so far have leaned heavily on his antics. Unlike the backlash Disney faced with the redesign of the dwarves in the upcoming Snow White remake, Stitch’s look in Lilo & Stitch stays true to the original’s charm. With Sanders back to voice the character and a faithful recreation of his design, it seems Disney is determined to get it right this time.
The stakes are high for Disney, as live-action remakes often struggle to recapture the magic of their animated predecessors. Yet, with Hawaii’s vibrant setting, Kealoha’s fresh talent, and Stitch’s hilariously chaotic energy, Lilo & Stitch could buck the trend and win hearts all over again.
Fans eagerly await a full trailer to see how this beloved story translates to live action. For now, Kealoha’s boundless imagination and infectious excitement are giving us all the feels. Get ready to “ohana” your way into theaters—this one’s going to be special!
