Why the Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Sparked Backlash

The live-action Lilo & Stitch movie hasn’t even hit theaters yet (it drops May 23), but the controversy? Already red-hot. What was supposed to be a nostalgic nod to Disney’s 2002 classic has instead drawn major heat online—for its casting choices, character redesigns, and what some fans call “erasure” of original themes.

Let’s break down what’s got the internet in a frenzy—and why Disney isn’t exactly backing down.

Casting Lilo’s Sister Sparked Colorism Accusations

First up: Sydney Agudong, the actress playing Lilo’s older sister, Nani. While Agudong is from Hawai’i and of mixed heritage, fans were quick to call out her casting as an example of colorism. Many believe her skin tone doesn’t match the animated Nani’s more visibly Hawaiian look.

One Instagram commenter didn’t hold back, saying Agudong “stole this role from a brown-skinned visibly Hawaiian looking woman.” And this wasn’t an isolated opinion—TikTok, Twitter (now X), and Reddit were all ablaze with similar takes.

A Casting Replacement After a Racist Scandal

It didn’t help that another casting choice was tainted by scandal. Disney originally cast Kahiau Machado as David Kawena, Nani’s love interest. But once fans uncovered screenshots of Machado using racial slurs and comparing himself to Rosa Parks, backlash was swift.

Machado was replaced by Kaipo Dudoit, a fresh face who’s now set to make his big-screen debut in the role. But the damage to fan trust was already done.

Where’s Drag Icon Pleakley? Fans Demand Answers

One of the most iconic parts of the original Lilo & Stitch was Agent Pleakley—an alien who disguised himself in women’s clothing while on Earth. The cross-dressing alien wasn’t just comic relief; he became a low-key drag icon for many fans.

But in the 2025 trailer, Pleakley (played by Billy Magnussen) shows up in plain ol’ men’s clothing. Fans weren’t just disappointed—they were outraged.

“Erasing Pleakley’s drag and substituting it for human suits is bad because Disney wants to appease transphobes,” wrote one user on X, with the post racking up 143,000+ likes.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp later said on TikTok that he “tried” to keep Pleakley’s iconic look but couldn’t make it work visually in live-action. He even flashed an early sketch of Pleakley in full drag—but many fans weren’t buying the excuse.

Despite Backlash, Disney Expects a Smash

Controversy aside, the hype is real. The trailer for Lilo & Stitch became the second most-watched live-action trailer in Disney’s history, pulling in 158 million views—just behind 2019’s The Lion King.

Even more jaw-dropping? A Super Bowl 2025 ad featuring Stitch racked up over 173 million views in just 24 hours, making it Disney’s most viewed digital spot ever.

Disney clearly knows how to stir the pot and keep fans talking, whether they’re loving it or hate-watching.

The live-action Lilo & Stitch isn’t just another remake—it’s a lightning rod for deeper conversations around race, representation, and identity in Hollywood. While some fans are excited to see Stitch back on screen, others feel the magic of the original is being lost in translation.

With so many eyes watching, the big question remains: Will Disney’s gamble pay off, or will Lilo & Stitch go down as one of the most controversial reboots in the Mouse House’s history?