Lilo & Stitch Stars: Get Ready to Cry! 😭

In a fresh adaptation, Disney’s beloved duo of siblings from the animated classic “Lilo & Stitch” is set to grace our screens. Maia Kealoha, making her acting debut, will portray the lead character Lilo, maintaining the film’s Hawaiian essence as she is a Native Hawaiian herself. Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, who shares screen time with “Resident Evil” alum Siena Agudong, steps into one of her most prominent roles yet in this production, playing the part of Nani, having previously appeared in shows like “Infamously in Love” and “On My Block” on Netflix.

The story of Lilo & Stitch revolves around the title character, a young girl left in the care of her older sister after their parents pass away in a car accident. As Lilo experiences loneliness and behavioral issues, her sister Nani realizes she needs companionship. In an attempt to fill this void, Lilo adopts Stitch, unaware that he is actually a mischievous alien experiment. Despite welcoming him into their home, they find themselves needing to shield Stitch from both earthly and extraterrestrial authorities. Featuring Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance, Lilo & Stitch is receiving praise from critics.

Looking forward to the premiere of the film, ScreenRant conducted an interview with Maia Kealoha and Sydney Elizebeth Agudong regarding “Lilo & Stitch”. During the discussion, they shared their favorite aspects of the live-action adaptation, such as the reappearance of some original characters, their experiences collaborating with the stand-in puppet for the main character, and why their sibling relationship plays a significant role in the movie’s emotional depth.

Kealoha & Agudong Found It “Really Easy To Connect” With One Another

“How Do You Not Love Her?”

In “Lilo & Stitch,” the live-action adaptation, much attention was paid to the appearance of Stitch. However, what truly mattered in this movie was recreating the relationship between Lilo and Nani, where Nani’s love for her younger sister was frequently tested by her guardianship role and Lilo’s rebellious nature. When discussing their approach to portraying this dynamic, Kealoha and Agudong found it surprisingly simple to bond with each other. The young actress also mentioned that her co-star was quite affectionate, or as she put it, “quite a softy.

Agudong further highlighted that working very closely alongside your fellow actors can result in them learning a great deal about each other, and she gleefully expressed to Kealoha, “How isn’t she lovable?” This camaraderie also shone through in their scenes with Stitch, as Kealoha termed those moments as being “incredible” and Agudong reminisced that her young costar took an instant liking to him. Agudong also recollected a moment when Kealoha squealed with delight upon seeing the stand-in puppet for the first time, which she found “adorable”, and admitted that she often touched its nose so much that it left her lips black from the contact.

OG Lilo & Stitch Fans Will “Get That Same Magic” From The Remake

Working With Tia Carrere Was Also “Really Meaningful” For Agudong

In the new version of “Lilo & Stitch,” while many fresh faces are present, there’s a sprinkle of familiarity from the original film. Specifically, Tia Carrere, who played Nani in the first movie, reprises her role as Mrs. Kekoa, the social worker overseeing Nani’s care of Lilo. Kealoha and Agudong were thrilled to collaborate with one of the franchise’s original stars, and Agudong fondly remembered wanting to chat with Carrere even before she was cast in the remake.

Agudong clarified, “She truly crafted a timeless portrayal of Nani that made me feel it was crucial to thoroughly research her work. The opportunity to converse with her was a privilege, and she immediately put me at ease, offering guidance like a generational blessing. This allowed me to venture out as an artist in my own unique way, which I found incredibly significant.

Kealoha fondly remembered feeling thrilled to collaborate with Amy Hill, who portrayed Tūtū (meaning “grandma” in Hawaiian), according to her remarks. Notably, Hill is a familiar face in the series, as she previously played Mrs. Hasagawa, the owner of a fruit stand, in both the original film and its television adaptation. Now, in the remake, she plays the long-time neighbor and David’s grandmother of the Pelekais, one of the fresh characters introduced for this version. Kealoha gleamed as she talked about the “wonderful acting” displayed by everyone in the movie.

In their conversation, Kealoha and Agudong emphasize that by combining the original cast and reimagined scenes from famous movie moments, they aim to deliver both the thrilling highs and emotional lows from the original Lilo & Stitch. Moreover, they promise to maintain the enchanting magic of the story, while also offering fans a chance to delve deeper into the characters and plot of the remake.

You shed as many tears of joy as you do laughter. Yet, that’s quite fascinating, isn’t it? That’s what makes it special! I can’t wait for others to experience a wave of nostalgia and recall fond memories, but also find themselves longing for the company of their loved ones. It’s simply incredible, and I can’t help but want to spread this wonderful feeling across the globe.

More About Lilo & Stitch (2025)

A new take on the heartwarming and hilarious 2002 animated Disney classic, Lilo & Stitch, follows a lonely Hawaiian girl and an alien on the run. This live-action adaptation is directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, known for his work on Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, with a script written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. The film stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, and introduces Maia Kealoha. Notable appearances are made by Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, and more. Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin produce the film, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, and Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.

Stay tuned for our other Lilo & Stitch interviews with:

Dean Fleischer Camp & Jonathan Eirich
Tia Carrere, Courtney B. Vance & Chris Sanders

2025-05-22 23:04