‘Lilo & Stitch’ live-action trailer stirs up debate following character changes

13 March, 2025

Lilo & Stitch

The first trailer for the Disney Lilo & Stitch live action-reboot has dropped and some of the character changes are proving controversial.

Much like the original 2002 animated film, the latest version follows a young orphan who is raised by her teenage sister, Nani after their parents’ death. Lilo develops a close bond with Stitch, a genetically engineered extraterrestrial creature, who she adopts as her pet.

Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo, and Chris Sanders reprises his voice role as Stitch in Dean Fleischer Camp’s remake.

Despite many fans hailing the trailer, some were critical of certain character changes with a number of people unhappy about the character Pleakley, played by Billy Magnussen.

“Wait WTH DID THEY DO TO PLEAKLEY HE LOOKS TERRIFYING,” one wrote while another added: “Jfc Pleakley looks terrifying.”

Others were annoyed that in the new film, Pleakley no longer disguises himself by cross dressing.

“OK fine, only criticism I have with the lilo and stitch trailer is how Pleakley has a human disguise instead of his cross dressing,” one wrote.

Another on a Reddit thread added: “A Pleakley not indulging in fabulous wigs and women’s wear isn’t Pleakley at all!”

Others also criticised how CIA agent Cobra Bubbles, who was voiced by Ving Rhames previously, was not as muscular as he was in the original animated movie.

“They gave my boy ozempic,” wrote one while another added: “Idk what’s more disappointing, pleakly not serving a bob or Cobra Bubbles being small.”

Others were pleased that they managed to include the ice-cream guy from the original.

“They have the guy who always dropped his ice cream. We won,” one fan hailed.

Another said: “Omg I just saw the trailer for lilo and stitch so perfect its exactly the animated film even to point the alien says ‘he took the red one’ & yyeess ice cream guy is in it!!”

Lilo & Stitch is set to land in UK and US cinemas on May 23.

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