Development on the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Lilo and Stitch looks to be underway as Disney has found its director.
Disney announced that they’re in talks with Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu to direct the live-action adaptation of the beloved animated classic. This is huge news for Lilo and Stitch fans, as it has been rumored for some time that a live-action remake was in the works. Now it’s looking to be a reality.
Lilo and Stitch Are Coming To The Real World
According to a report by the Hollywood Reporter, Disney announced their plans for a live-action remake of Lilo and Stitch on October 3, 2018. Disney also announced that the film would have the live-action Aladdin producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Elrich producing the film. Riderback’s Ryan Halprin will serve as an Executive Producer.
Lilo and Stitch was an animated hit for Disney in June of 2002. The animated film focused on a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo, who has a close encounter and bonds with an alien creature that she names Stitch. Lilo originally thinks that Stitch was a ugly dog, but it is revealed that he’s actually a scientific genetic research experiment named 626, from an alien mad scientist called Jamba.
Stitch originally gets captured by an intergalactic police force and sent to prison. However, he escapes and crash lands on the island of Kaua’i. While in Hawaii, Stitch meets Lilo and gets adopted by her and her older sister, Nani. During the course of the film Lilo teaches Stitch Ohana. Ohana is the Hawaiian concept of family or extended love ones.
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The animated film was a huge success with fans, audiences, and critics alike. The film received rave reviews and is considered a pop culture hit. However, the film did not do as well at the box-office, only grossing $273.1 million dollars. But due to rave reviews, the film was able to spawn multiple direct straight-to-DVD sequels and a successful animated TV series on Disney Channel.
About Lilo and Stitch Director Jon M. Chu
Disney attempting to hire Jon M. Chu is not of great surprise. Chu is well known in directing family-friendly films, that often feature cultural significance and music. Works that Chu is well known besides Crazy Rich Asians, are Step Up 2: The Steets, Step Up 3D, Jem and The Holograms, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Justin Bieber: Believe, G.I Joe: Retaliation, and critical hit, The Farewell.
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If Chu does accept the job, this could be a great fit, as Lilo and Stitch highly emphasizes Hawaiian culture. It’s not yet known if the live-action Lilo and Stitch adaptation will be a Disney Plus exclusive, or have a theatrical release. So far Disney’s live-action remakes of animated classics have been getting mixed reactions and reviews. We will see if that can change with Chu at the helm of Lilo and Stitch and we’ll find out if he can deliver something special.
Hopefully, Disney can repeat the same magic that the original animated film gave us years ago. But whatever the outcome, remember…Ohana means family, and family never gets left behind. What do you think of Jon M. Chu directing the live-action Lilo and Stitch? Any casting ideas? Let us know in the comment section below or on our Twitter!
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Source: /Film
