Disney’s live-action remakes are a great way to share classic stories with a new audience, using modern effects and actors to make them feel fresh. They can also allow filmmakers to explore deeper themes, develop characters further, and offer new takes on familiar tales, all while staying true to the original charm. However, some people believe that recent remakes prioritize profit over creativity, leaning too much on established franchises and characters instead of taking chances with new ideas and original stories.
Disney’s live-action remakes started to receive less positive reviews and earn less money at the box office. After the movie Snow White was particularly poorly received, Disney announced they were cancelling plans for a remake of The Aristocrats, suggesting they might be rethinking this trend.
Despite initial criticism following the release of Snow White, the Lilo & Stitch remake proved successful. It showed that live-action remakes could be both financially profitable—earning over $1 billion worldwide—and creatively strong, even enhancing the original story. While many still prefer the classic animated film, others found themselves enjoying the remake. Though the core story remains similar, there are several key differences between the animated and live-action versions of Lilo & Stitch.
Pleakley & Jumba Use Alien Technology To Disguise Themselves As Human in the Remake
Dr. Jumba Jookiba, a scientist from outer space, created Stitch. Agent Wendell Pleakley is a somewhat disorganized expert on Earth, sent by the United Galactic Federation. After Stitch escapes and lands on Earth, Jumba and Pleakley are teamed up to recapture him and return him to their home planet, Turo.
Jumba Is a More Redeemable Character in the Original
The original animated movie showed the alien pair keeping their true forms while on Earth, forcing them to hide from people. The new remake gives them technology to transform into humans. This change lets the actors playing the human versions – Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen – showcase their comedic skills as they repeatedly and hilariously fail to catch Stitch.
Pleakley is still the same kind but clumsy character as before. However, Jumba isn’t reformed like he was in the original story; instead, he’s the main villain in this movie.
Captain Gantu Is Absent from the Remake
Captain Gantu is a large, shark-like alien and the main villain in the first movie. The Grand Councilwoman sends him to Earth to capture Stitch, completing the mission that Jumba and Pleakley couldn’t finish. However, he’s ultimately removed from the task because of his questionable tactics.
His Absence Gives Room To Further Develop the Remaining Characters
The live-action movie doesn’t include the character Gantu at all; instead, Jumba takes on the role of the villain. Director Dean Fleischer Camp said he considered including Gantu, but ultimately decided against it. He wanted to focus on developing the existing characters and showing a stronger relationship between Lilo and her sister.
Cobra Bubbles Is Still with the CIA in the Remake
Everyone loves Cobra Bubbles, and though he plays a similar role in both films, there are a few key differences. He’s a large, tough-talking man covered in tattoos, and in the first movie, he’s Lilo and Nani’s social worker – a funny, over-the-top character that fits perfectly into the wacky world of an animated movie about a playful alien. The first film also reveals he used to be a CIA agent, which makes a lot of his behavior make sense!
Making the Remake More Believable
The live-action movie introduces Mrs. Kekoa as the sisters’ new social worker, taking over from Cobra. Cobra isn’t out of the picture, though—he’s still a CIA agent tasked with catching Stitch. To get close to Stitch, he pretends to work with Mrs. Kekoa, but Lilo is immediately suspicious of his overly tough appearance.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp says they chose to make the movie feel more realistic, explaining that:
As a movie fan, I just don’t buy it when a story tries to make you believe in the separation of two girls if the villain is this over-the-top, ridiculously large guy covered in tattoos, and he’s supposed to be a social worker. It just doesn’t feel believable or grounded, you know?
Stitch’s Aquaphobia Is Explained in the Remake
Stitch is extremely afraid of water in both versions of the movie. This fear is key to the story, and it’s why he ends up stuck in Hawaii instead of carrying out his original plan to cause chaos.
Stitch’s Abnormal Molecular Density Causes Him To Shrink
The movie doesn’t explain why, but the live-action version shows that Stitch becomes very weak in water. Because of his unique body structure, he sinks – and the film actually shows this happening a few times.
The Remake Provides Lilo and Nani with a Compassionate Neighbor
Now that Captain Gantu is no longer involved, Lilo and Nani gain two new figures in their lives: Mrs. Kekoa, their new social worker, and Tūtū, a kind, older neighbor. Tūtū becomes a fatherly presence for Lilo and offers much-needed support to Nani, who is juggling work, childcare, and keeping their home together.
Tutu’s Presence Changes The Movie’s Ending
Tūtū isn’t just a delightful and funny character – her lively personality and playful behavior add a lot of joy to the story. Importantly, she also plays a key role in how the movie ultimately ends.
The Movies End Differently
Alongside the story of Stitch landing on Earth, the movie centers on Nani’s efforts to keep custody of her little sister, Lilo, after their parents passed away. The animated version shows Nani handling this challenge mostly by herself, but the live-action film features her neighbor, Tūtū, frequently providing support and assistance.
The first movie centers around Lilo and Nani welcoming Stitch into their lives and becoming a family. They find support from both a community of aliens and humans, ultimately allowing them to stay together.
Nani Gives Up Custody of Lilo in the Remake
The live-action film has a slightly different, but equally touching, ending. After everything that happens – including the loss of their house – Nani decides to let their grandmother, Tūtū, take legal guardianship of Lilo. This ensures Lilo has a stable home nearby and allows Nani to pursue her dream of studying Marine Biology at university. Lilo happily supports Nani’s decision, knowing she can still stay connected using the alien portal.
Nani Rescues Stitch from Drowning in the Remake
Disney
At the most intense moment of the 2025 live-action remake, Stitch bravely sinks into the ocean to save Lilo, who is trapped under debris. Nani immediately dives down to rescue him, bringing him back to the beach. At first, Stitch doesn’t respond, but he wakes up when Lilo tearfully says they were meant to grow old together.
A Heartwarming Sacrifice
This moment really highlights how much Stitch has changed – from a destructive, self-centered creature to someone who sees his human companions as family, which is a central idea of the film. It’s a new addition to the story and shows how the remake adds more emotional impact.
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2025-10-27 00:45