Lilo & Stitch Reboot Sparks Outrage Over Jumba & Pleakley Disguise Change

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Dean Fleischer Camp, director of the upcoming live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” explains the reasoning behind modifying one of the film’s more contentious aspects that differed from the 2002 animated version. In this fresh take, the story will maintain its core theme of a lonely girl bonding with an unusual creature, later revealed as an escaped alien experiment. Chris Sanders reprises his role as the voice of Stitch in the new film, while Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong portray Lilo and Nani respectively.

(For brevity, I removed the part where I mentioned the article was later reported by The Direct)

We’re taking a unique approach with Jumba and Pleakley in this story… It’s the type I enjoy the most, where viewers might unknowingly step into an emotional whirlpool at certain moments.

What Lilo & Stitch’s Disguise Controversy Means For The Remake

The Gag Could Be Controversial Among Certain Audiences

In the original movie, Jumba and Pleakley’s holographic disguises were a recurring joke. This decision, however, has sparked significant discussion in relation to the reboot. Despite their crude disguises often resulting in wardrobe malfunctions, these aliens managed to blend into Earth society, despite their obvious non-human appearance. This led to some absurd situations. However, it’s been speculated that the production team opted to abandon this joke for various reasons.

Some spectators have speculated that the higher-ups might have demanded the removal of a joke from the new Lilo & Stitch version because the humor could be considered outdated, as Pleakley often disguises himself as a woman. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the choice was made to placate conservative commentators who may criticize Pleakley’s gender-nonconforming disguises. In any case, it seems many viewers may find the film’s final decision unsatisfying.

Our Take On Lilo & Stitch’s Controversial Pleakley Choice

The Movie Has High Expectations

Disney’s live-action adaptations are facing a pivotal moment, given the modest earnings and mixed reviews for Snow White. This has sparked doubts about the fate of upcoming live-action remakes. Consequently, there is considerable anticipation to see how well Lilo & Stitch will fare financially, as this could influence Disney’s decision on future projects. Essentially, the studio is trying to reassure audiences who might be uncertain if the new movie can match the original’s impact.

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2025-05-07 08:38