Lilo & Stitch Cast Address Those Big Changes to Nani In Live-Action Adaptation

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The Disney live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch was highly successful and generally well-received by both critics and viewers. Yet, as is common with adaptations, some alterations sparked responses from dedicated fans. A significant shift that drew attention was Sydney Agudong’s character Nani still leaving for college at the end of the film, which resulted in Maia Kealoha’s Lilo receiving a new guardian, played by Amy Hill as Tutu.

At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), members of the cast for “Lilo & Stitch” had a chat with Russ Milheim from TopMob, discussing some significant alterations to the character of Nani in the upcoming live-action remake.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must confess that I believe the transformation depicted in this production is nothing short of brilliant – a remarkable evolution, if you will. And let me tell you, the opportunity for Nani to find redemption within this storyline feels almost dreamlike to me. You see, there was a time when I contemplated leaving acting behind, but fate had other plans. Stepping into this role has not only given me a second chance but also allowed me to fully embody it.

Tia Carrera (the original voice of Nani and Mrs. Kekoa) shared Agudong’s thoughts, mentioning that it was heartening to see Nani’s challenges portrayed authentically on-screen as a genuine struggle she appreciates being represented in this way.

The complete chat featuring Maia Kealoha, who played Lilo, is available to read and watch in its entirety below.

You can purchase ‘Lilo & Stitch’ digitally right now, while a physical copy will be available for home media release on August 26, 2025.

Lilo & Stitch Cast Comment On Those Big Changes to Nani

“I Think It’s the Perfect Evolution.”

  • TopMob: “Some audiences were very open to the big change of Nani regarding her future and her career. And some others were kind of like, we’re like, Wait, that’s not the original [in the] though. How do you feel that change was the perfect evolution for this live-action version of the character?

Sydney Agudong: You seemed to express it well yourself. In my opinion, it appears to be a fitting progression – a contemporary interpretation of what we aspire for families to achieve within their communities, fostering growth among individuals.

As a movie lover, it feels incredibly surreal for me to witness Nani’s redemption on-screen. You see, I too have faced moments when I thought about giving up acting. But then, here I am, embodying this role after being granted another opportunity. It’s an experience that leaves me in awe, knowing how fortunate I am for my second chance.

So, I know exactly what kind of know exactly what she feels like.

She shared her views on the inevitable transformations when transitioning a story from animation to live-action, a process she believes will bring about certain changes regardless of one’s actions.

Agudong: Each time you reimagine something, there will inevitably be some variation at that particular moment. However, what makes it most appealing is how we managed to preserve the essence and core of the film. It’s fascinating! Moreover, our focus on humanizing the story and bringing humanity into it is truly remarkable. Change is inevitable, but I’m thrilled about continuing to delve into this world…

Tia Carrera, known for portraying Mrs. Kekoa in the live-action movie and providing the original voice for Nani in the beloved animated series, expressed her approval, stating that the alterations made to Nani’s character in the film represented a “satisfying development:”

Tia Carrera: I firmly think it’s an ideal progression, as being from Hawaii required me to depart the islands so I could support my family financially, and acquire the resources necessary to become a better individual and expand my horizons. It was essential for me to do this.

I often wish for a magical doorway to reach out and hug my loved ones. Luckily, the character Nani has something like this in the movie. What’s more, it seems the film does an authentic job of portraying that struggle, which I appreciate.

Maia Kealoha on Bringing Lilo & Stitch’s Dynamic to Life, and What She Wants to See From Captain Gantu

The Actress Would Also Love to See Captain Gantu Call Stitch a “Stupid Head.”

  • TopMob: “What was your secret to bring Stitch to life in your own head so that it could come to life on the screen perfectly?”

Maia Kealoha admits she doesn’t have any hidden secrets, but has shared one openly before and would gladly do so again since it plays such an essential role in her identity. As a young actress, she didn’t have siblings while filming, but now she does. To cope with this difference during production, she creatively imagined that the character Stitch was present and considered him as a friend. Consequently, the character became deeply significant to her.

  • TopMob: “I’m sure you know who Captain Gantu is from the original animated movie. If we ever see him in live action, what kind of interactions would you want to see Lilo have with that character?”

Maia Kealoha might have expressed something similar to the original film’s reaction, finding it incredibly amusing. However, she doubts if such an event actually happened, as her mother believes she is mistaken. Nevertheless, she recalls Stitch making phone calls to him when he was on lava, referring to him as “stupid head”. Therefore, she would like to revive this humorous and exciting dynamic once more.

All of our discussions with the cast of Lilo & Stitch can be seen here:

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2025-08-08 02:36