'Lilo & Stitch' Is Coming to Life! See the Cast of the Live-Action Movie Side-by-Side with the Animated Characters from the Original (2024)

Maia Kealoha as Lilo

In her debut role, Maia Kealoha brings the titular character to life, portraying a spirited young girl raised by her sister, whose struggles with loneliness are overcome when she forms an unlikely friendship with Stitch.

When asked by PEOPLE how she relates to her on-screen character, Kealoha shared that they both "really love crafts."

"In terms of our rooms, she has a lot of toys in her room and I don't really have toys," she added. "I would say I'm a crafty girl."

Though the actress remained tight-lipped on details of the movie to avoid potential spoilers, she told E! News in November 2024 that "the hammock scene" was her favorite moment to film.

"It's so touching and sad at the same time," Kealoha said.

Chris Sanders as Stitch

Chris Sanders will reprise his role as the voice of Stitch (also known as Experiment 626), the genetically engineered blue alien who is adopted by Lilo and becomes her best friend.

The voice actor began his career as a character designer for Jim Henson's Muppet Babies and created Stitch in 1985 for a children's book pitch that wasn't accepted at the time. After working on a number of movies, including Mulan, as a head storyboard artist for Disney, the head of feature animation asked Sanders if he had any stories he wanted to tell, and from there, Lilo & Stitch was born, he wrote in his bio.

Sanders co-wrote and co-directed the 2002 film Lilo & Stitch alongside Dean DeBlois. He also voiced Stitch in the original film and the sequels that followed, including 2005's Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch and 2006's Leroy & Stitch.

When it came to the live-action adaptation, Sanders shared his thoughts with SYFY WIRE in September 2022, saying that he was "very curious" about how Stitch would be brought to life in the remake.

"I think the most obvious thing is Stitch has to be Stitch, visually [speaking]," Sanders said. "Details count ... If he's not the same shape, he's not the same character ... Staying true to his appearance will be critical."

Sydney Agudong as Nani

Sydney Agudong steps into the role of Nani, Lilo's older sister and legal guardian.

"My heart is exploding! It’s happening!! We did it Hawaii!!! We’re going to be in theatres next summer!!!!!" she wrote on Instagram in August 2024.

Before joining the cast, Agudong had a guest role on NCIS and pursued a music career under the name Jayne Doe, releasing her first song, "Welcome to Hollywood," in January 2022.

Billy Magnussen as Pleakley

Billy Magnussenjoins the cast as Pleakley, an alien from the planet of Plorgonar and a former member of the United Galactic Federation who acts as the organization's expert on Earth.

When asked by MovieWeb in August 2024 what drew him to the franchise, Magnussen said that he craved "community" and "family" and wanted to go into a job with "people I care about."

"Lilo & Stitch is that gift," he said, adding that he hopes it gives kids a "smile" and "memory" to share with their families.

Magnussen previously appeared in 2018's Game Night and the 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin.

Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba Jookiba

Zach Galifianakis stars as Dr. Jumba Jookiba, the evil genius scientist who created Stitch to cause chaos across the galaxy.

The Emmy award winner is most known for his role as Alan in The Hangover trilogy, and has had recurring roles in many shows, including Only Murders in the Building, Bob's Burgers and Big Mouth.

Amy Hill as Tutu

Although she voiced Mrs. Hasagawa in the Lilo & Stitch early 2000s movie and subsequential series, Amy Hill joins the live-action cast as a new character, Tutu, Lilo and Nani's longtime neighbor and David's grandmother.

The actress previously starred in the television series All-American Girl and 2003's The Cat in the Hat. Over the years, she has also had numerous recurring roles in hit shows such as Seinfeld, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, UnREAL and Magnum P.I.

Kaipo Dudoit as David Kawena

Kaipo Dudoit will play David Kawena, Nani's love interest and Tutu's grandson.

Prior to joining the Lilo & Stitch franchise, Dudoit had a guest appearance in Magnum P.I. and starred in 2023's My Partner.

Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles

Courtney B. Vance will portray Cobra Bubbles, a former CIA agent turned Lilo's social worker.

Vance is most known for his roles in 1990's The Hunt for Red October, 1993's The Adventures of Huck Finn and 1996's The Preacher's Wife.

He has also had many television roles, including NBC's Law & Order: Criminal Intent and FX's The People vs. OJ Simpson: An American Crime Story. As for his ongoing projects, Vance stars as Marshall Tryon in FX's Grotesquerie and will play Zeus in season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa

Tia Carrere joins the cast as newcomer Mrs. Kekoa, who was described in a casting call as a "practical, by-the-book, kind" social worker who regularly connects with Nani, whom she voiced in the 2002 movie.

In a June 2022 interview with Good Morning America, Carrere reflected on the original film's impact, saying it "made everyone realize how important it is to have these kinds of Indigenous stories."

"Even though we might look different skin-wise from other people ... there's still a universal theme of love and family and togetherness against all odds," she said.

Outside of the franchise, the actress has played roles in 1992's Wayne's World and 1994's True Lies.

Hannah Waddingham as Grand Councilwoman

Hannah Waddingham stars as Grand Councilwoman, the head of the Galactic Federation who instructs Jumba and Pleakley to retrieve 626 at the start of the animated film only to later complete the mission herself.

The Emmy award winner is most known for her role as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso. She has also starred in Netflix's Sex Education and 2024's The Fall Guy.