The reimagining of Disney's beloved 2002 classic has revitalized the franchise, bringing the concept of ohana to a new generation through a high-budget live-action lens. Following the massive box-office success of the 2025 film, which surpassed the $1 billion mark globally, the focus has now shifted toward the future of the cinematic universe. With the official announcement of a sequel, Lilo & Stitch 2, slated for May 26, 2028, fans are eager to identify both the returning favorites and the fresh faces joining the galaxy’s most chaotic family.

The live-action franchise features a blend of talented newcomers, seasoned Hollywood veterans, and the return of the original voice that defined the character of Stitch. Below is a comprehensive analysis of the characters and cast members driving this record-breaking series.

Quick Overview of the Core Cast

For readers seeking an immediate answer to who stars in the new films, here is the primary lineup for the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch and the confirmed details for the 2028 sequel:

  • Lilo Pelekai: Played by Maia Kealoha.
  • Stitch (Experiment 626): Voiced by Chris Sanders.
  • Nani Pelekai: Played by Sydney Elizebeth Agudong.
  • David Kawena: Played by Kaipo Dudoit.
  • Dr. Jumba Jookiba: Played by Zach Galifianakis.
  • Agent Pleakley: Played by Billy Magnussen.
  • Cobra Bubbles: Played by Courtney B. Vance.
  • The Grand Councilwoman: Played by Hannah Waddingham.
  • Angel (Experiment 624): Confirmed for the 2028 sequel.

The Heart of the Story: Lilo and Stitch

Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha)

Maia Kealoha makes her cinematic debut as Lilo Pelekai, the spirited and often misunderstood Hawaiian girl whose love for hula, Elvis Presley, and unconventional "gross" things sets the plot in motion. In the 2025 film, Kealoha captures Lilo's blend of rebellion and deep-seated loneliness following the loss of her parents.

What makes this portrayal distinct is the added layer of mischief. Unlike the animated counterpart who was often a victim of circumstance, the live-action Lilo is depicted as more intentionally disruptive, using her antics as a defense mechanism. As the franchise moves toward the 2028 sequel, Kealoha will reprise her role, but the character will evolve significantly. The story is set to follow an older Lilo navigating the complexities of adolescence, shifting the narrative from a child’s quest for friendship to a teenager’s struggle with identity and belonging.

Stitch (Chris Sanders)

In a move that delighted purists, Chris Sanders—the original co-writer, director, and voice of Stitch—returns to voice the genetically engineered agent of chaos. While Stitch is brought to life through advanced CGI developed by Industrial Light & Magic, Sanders’ vocal performance provides the essential continuity that bridges the 20-year gap between the animation and the live-action remake.

The live-action Stitch, known as Experiment 626, retains his near-indestructible nature and supercomputer intelligence but behaves with a more feral, dog-like physicality. A significant scientific update in the live-action lore is the explanation for his inability to swim: rather than simply being too dense to float, the film establishes that exposure to water actively increases his molecular density. This change heightens the stakes during the film’s climax and emphasizes the physical vulnerability of a character who is otherwise unstoppable.

The Pelekai Family and Local Guardians

Nani Pelekai (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong)

Sydney Elizebeth Agudong takes on the role of Nani, Lilo’s older sister and legal guardian. Nani’s character arc remains the emotional anchor of the live-action adaptation. The film explores the immense pressure placed on an 18-year-old girl trying to hold a broken family together while under the scrutiny of social services.

Agudong portrays Nani as "Type A," overachieving, and athletic, yet constantly overwhelmed by the chaotic influence of Stitch. A major narrative shift in the live-action version involves the custody battle. Unlike the original film where the sisters remain together under the guardianship of Stitch, the 2025 film sees Nani officially losing custody—though a compassionate arrangement allows Lilo to stay with their neighbor, David, and his grandmother, Tūtū. This adds a layer of realism to the legal struggles faced by young guardians.

David Kawena (Kaipo Dudoit)

David Kawena, played by Kaipo Dudoit, serves as the supportive friend and love interest to Nani. Dudoit brings a grounded, gentle energy to the role, acting as the "calm in the storm" for the Pelekai family. In the live-action continuity, David’s importance is elevated when he and his grandmother, Tūtū, become the legal guardians of Lilo, ensuring that the ohana stays together despite the intervention of the government.

Tūtū and Mrs. Kekoa

The live-action film expands the community surrounding Lilo. Amy Hill, who voiced Mrs. Hasagawa in the original series, returns in a new role as Tūtū, David’s grandmother and a pillar of the local community. Meanwhile, Tia Carrere (the original voice of Nani) appears as Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker whose interactions with the Pelekai family highlight the bureaucratic challenges of the foster care system.

The Galactic Entourage: Science and Supervision

Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis)

Zach Galifianakis lends his unique comedic timing to Dr. Jumba Jookiba, the "evil genius" who created Stitch. In a departure from the animated version’s Russian-inspired accent, Galifianakis utilizes an American accent, portraying Jumba as a somewhat eccentric but undeniably dangerous scientist.

His motivation in the live-action film is more explicitly tied to the creation of bioweapons. Jumba’s anger at Stitch for developing empathy underscores the film’s theme of nature versus nurture. Despite his initial role as a captor, Jumba eventually becomes an integral, albeit volatile, part of the extended family.

Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen)

Billy Magnussen plays Agent Pleakley, the self-proclaimed Earth expert who serves as Jumba’s unwilling partner. Magnussen’s performance emphasizes the character’s neuroses and his misplaced confidence in his knowledge of human culture.

Pleakley’s role provides much of the film’s physical comedy, particularly through his unsuccessful attempts to blend in with Hawaiian tourists. By the end of the 2025 film, Pleakley remains on Earth to monitor Stitch, acting as a bridge between the United Galactic Federation and the Pelekai household.

The Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham)

Hannah Waddingham brings a commanding presence to the Grand Councilwoman. In this adaptation, the character is given a sarcastically sharp edge, often bordering on "comically serious." Her interactions with Jumba and Pleakley highlight the frustration of a galactic leader dealing with incompetence. Despite her stern exterior, she remains the fair arbiter who ultimately allows Stitch to stay on Earth once his capacity for love and ohana is proven.

Authority and Mystery: Cobra Bubbles

Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance)

Courtney B. Vance portrays the enigmatic Cobra Bubbles. In the live-action version, he is depicted as a CIA agent posing as a social director to investigate the arrival of alien life on Earth.

Vance’s portrayal maintains the intimidating physical presence of the original character (enhanced by a signature mustache and eyebrows, a change from the animated version’s hairless design) but adds a layer of clandestine professionalism. His dual role as both a threat to Lilo’s domestic stability and a protector against galactic threats makes him one of the most complex characters in the film.

New Characters and Future Faces in Lilo & Stitch 2 (2028)

The announcement of the 2028 sequel has introduced the most anticipated new addition to the live-action universe: Angel (Experiment 624).

Angel (Experiment 624)

Confirmed during the D23 announcement, Angel will be a primary focus of the 2028 sequel. In the animated lore, Angel is a pink, feminine experiment who possesses the power to turn other experiments from good to evil (and vice versa) through a siren song.

Her introduction to the live-action world suggests that the sequel will expand beyond the boundaries of Earth, potentially exploring more of Jumba’s 625 previous experiments. Fans are eager to see how the VFX team handles her design, as she serves as the primary love interest for Stitch and a catalyst for new galactic conflict.

The Return of the Ensemble

Disney has confirmed that Maia Kealoha and Chris Sanders will return for the sequel. With Chris Sanders also taking the director's chair for the 2028 film, the sequel is expected to lean more heavily into the original creator’s vision, potentially introducing an original story rather than following the direct-to-video animated sequels like Stitch! The Movie.

Technical Adaptation: Bringing the Cast to Life

The transition from a 2D animated world to a live-action environment required significant changes to the character designs and their physical interactions.

The Realism of Stitch

Unlike the smooth, bright blue design of the 2002 film, the 2025 Stitch features detailed fur textures and a more complex facial structure to allow for a wider range of emotional expression. The use of animatronics on set helped actors like Maia Kealoha interact more naturally with a character that was otherwise added in post-production.

Cultural Nuance

The casting of the human characters was a point of focus for the production. By casting actors of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent, such as Maia Kealoha and Kaipo Dudoit, the film aims to honor the cultural setting of the story. The characters use traditional Hawaiian language and engage in authentic cultural practices, such as the lūʻau and hula, which are presented with greater historical and social context than in the original animation.

Comparison: Animated vs. Live-Action Characters

Character Animated (2002) Live-Action (2025) Key Difference
Lilo Socially awkward child Mischievous and rebellious More proactive in the climax
Stitch Heavy, but can be carried Molecularly dense in water Scientific explanation for drowning
Nani Overworked sister High-achieving, athletic Struggles with legal guardianship
Jumba Russian accent, scientist American accent, weapon creator Focus on his bioweapon history
Cobra Bubbles Social Worker / Ex-CIA CIA Agent undercover More direct involvement in alien hunt
Angel Introduced in TV series Debuts in 2028 Sequel Primary focus of the live-action sequel

Conclusion: The Expanding World of Ohana

The new Lilo & Stitch movie and its upcoming sequel have successfully translated the magic of the original animation into a vibrant, modern cinematic experience. By retaining the heart of the characters—Stitch’s chaos, Lilo’s imagination, and Nani’s resilience—while adding new layers of realism and galactic stakes, Disney has ensured the longevity of the franchise.

As we look toward May 2028, the inclusion of Angel and the evolution of Lilo into adolescence promise to take the story in exciting new directions. Whether you are a fan of the original 2002 classic or a newcomer discovering the Pelekai family for the first time, the live-action cast delivers a performance that honors the true meaning of ohana: that no one gets left behind or forgotten.

FAQ

Who plays Lilo in the new Lilo and Stitch movie?

Maia Kealoha makes her acting debut as Lilo Pelekai in the 2025 live-action film and is confirmed to return for the 2028 sequel.

Is the original voice of Stitch in the live-action movie?

Yes, Chris Sanders, the original creator and voice actor of Stitch, reprises his role in the 2025 film and will return for the sequel.

When does the Lilo and Stitch sequel come out?

Disney has officially announced that Lilo & Stitch 2 will be released in theaters on May 26, 2028.

Will Angel be in the new Lilo and Stitch movie?

While Angel does not appear in the 2025 film, Disney confirmed at D23 that Experiment 624 (Angel) will be a primary character in the 2028 sequel.

Is Tia Carrere in the live-action Lilo and Stitch?

Yes, Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the original 2002 movie, appears in the live-action film in a new role as Mrs. Kekoa.

Why is Stitch’s weakness different in the live-action movie?

The live-action film explains that Stitch becomes incredibly dense only when submerged in water, making it physically impossible for him to float or for others to lift him to the surface.