"Ohana means family."
It seems the live-action Disney remake of 2002's Lilo & Stitch has made some significant departures from the original film.
This change is centered on Captain Gantu, a character that could be described as the primary antagonist of the original pic.
For those who remember the original animated feature fondly, the towering and determined Captain Gantu served as a formidable obstacle for our favorite alien, Stitch (aka Experiment 626).
After the initial, less-than-successful capture attempts by Dr. Jumba Jookiba and Agent Pleakley, the leader of the United Galactic Federation turned to her no-nonsense second-in-command, Captain Gantu, to get the job done right. His imposing presence and relentless pursuit fueled much of the film's central conflict.
However, early buzz from advance screenings of the live-action remake, which premiered at the prestigious El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on May 17th, 2025, suggests a surprising omission.
According to those who've seen it, Captain Gantu is reportedly absent from the live-action adaptation. Instead, it seems the film will solely focus on the comedic misadventures of Jumba and Pleakley as they attempt to recapture Stitch for the Grand Councilwoman.
While initial reactions to the remake have been largely positive, a noticeable contingent of fans have expressed disappointment at the apparent absence of Captain Gantu.
In the animated pic, Captain Gantu's actions drive much of the conflict and create several high-stakes obstacles for the protagonists.
While the film's focus is primarily on the bond between Lilo and Stitch and their efforts to stay together, Captain Gantu undeniably fills the role of the main, active villain who directly opposes their goals for the majority of the movie.
The live-action Lilo & Stitch, which opens wide across North America on May 23rd, 2025, and appears to be leaning heavily into the comedic dynamic between Jumba and Pleakley. Whether this shift in antagonistic focus will resonate with longtime fans remains to be seen.
Will the charm and humor of the alien duo be enough to fill the void left by the imposing Captain Gantu? Could Disney have a secret end-credits stinger (a la Marvel) featuring Gantu, that their holding back from advance screenings?
Be sure to stay tuned to Toonado for future updates as we report on the film's opening weekend at the box office.
Lilo & Stitch (2025) Official Synopsis: This is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar®-nominated filmmaker behind the animated feature film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” the film stars Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis.