The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Disney+'s upcoming live-action remake has finally cast Lilo's older sister and legal guardian, Nani.
Many Disney fans had hoped that Moana star Auli'i Cravalho might nab the role as she's long been a favourite to bring the character to life in live-action, However, we can't complain too much as another very talented young actress, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, is now going to bring Nani to life in the movie.
A relative unknown, Agudong has previously lent her talents to projects like NCIS, Infamously in Love, On My Block, and West Michigan.
Born and raised on the island of Kaua'i, Hawaii, her younger sister is actress Siena Agudong (Resident Evil).
Newcomer Maia Kealoha was recently cast as Lilo, while Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen have also joined the cast. The prevailing theory online is that they're playing Jumba and Pleakley, respectively. Stitch is likely to be a CG creation, while Cobra Bubbles, Captain Gantu, and David Kawena are among the main roles left to be cast.
Lilo & Stitch is a tale of a young girl's close encounter with the galaxy's most wanted extraterrestrial. Lilo is a lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts a small ugly "dog," whom she names Stitch. Stitch would be the perfect pet if he weren't in reality a genetic experiment who has escaped from an alien planet and crash-landed on Earth.
The 2002 movie spawned several sequels and small screen spin-offs and you can't go into any Disney-related store without seeing tonnes of merchandise based on the loveable alien.
Despite that, it appears Lilo & Stitch will remain a streaming release, even with Disney CEO Bob Iger looking to spend less on non-theatrical titles. Nothing has been confirmed on that front yet, though, and this latest report once again mentions plans for a Disney+ debut.
Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) is directing Disney+'s Lilo & Stitch, while Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, and Mike Van Waes are all expected to receive writing credits. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback (Aladdin) are attached to produce the project.
As of right now, Lilo & Stitch doesn't have an official release date.