Newcomer, Maia Kealoha, has been cast as Lilo in the upcoming ‘Lilo & Stitch’ live-action movie

Newcomer Maia Kealoha has been cast as Lilo in the upcoming ‘Lilo & Stitch’ live-action movie. (Read More Here).

Dean Fleischer Camp, the filmmaker behind indie darling and best animated feature Oscar nominee Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, is directing the feature that is intended to be a major release on Disney+.

The Hawaii-centric story tells of the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog-like alien named Stitch, who was genetically engineered to be a force of destruction. With nosy social workers and pursuing aliens banging on the door, the two bond over a shared sense of family and win the day. Zach Galifianakis joined the cast in February. Stitch, naturally, will be a CG confection.

Chris Kekaniokalani Bright wrote the script for the adaptation. Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois wrote and directed the original feature that, while not an initial hit, developed a loyal fan base that has only grown over the ensuing years.  

Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing. Rideback’s Ryan Halprin is executive producing.

Knight Edge Media was the first to report the news. The animated version came out in 2002 from directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois; the live-action remake will be helmed by Marcel the Shell With Shoes On director Dean Fleischer Camp, with a script by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright. The film recently added actor Zach Galifianakis to the cast in an unknown role (though we hope he’ll be playing Pleakley); we’re still waiting to see who’ll play the story’s other big role: Lilo’s older sister, Nani.

Lilo and Stitch will be released straight to Disney+, thought we hope it does get some love on the big screen. So far there’s no word on when to expect it.

Lili often finds herself struggling to fit in with her fellow peers. However, she seems to find a kindred spirit when a dog-like alien named Stitch crash-lands on Earth.

The two form a quick bond with one another, and Lilo is determined to protect Stitch from other aliens seeking to harm him. Meanwhile, Lilo and Nani must deal with the constantly hovering social services.

Since its release, the movie has received three additional sequels and a two-season long television series.