By Cassandra Pinkney
“‘Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten…” The release of the live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch means welcoming a new cast into the Disney family. While the film is filled with characters audiences know and love, it’s also set to introduce us to some new folks we can’t wait to meet!
Before you catch Lilo & Stitch in theaters beginning May 23, let’s take a look its all-star cast and learn about all the characters you’ll encounter in this “Hawaiian rollercoaster ride” of a film!
Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha)
Lilo is a high-energy 6-year-old girl from Hawaii who loves hula and the music of Elvis Presley. When she’s not dancing along to her favorite songs, she often acts out in ways that get her into trouble and leave her feeling isolated from her classmates. Stitch, a mischievous fugitive alien, seemingly saves her from this loneliness when he becomes the friend she wishes on a star for. Beneath this rebellious streak, Lilo is a loving girl who cares about her family and wants nothing more than to find belonging.
Making her onscreen debut as the titular role of Lilo is up-and-coming actress Maia Kealoha, who relates to her character in a number of ways—including their shared love of hula dancing, music, and the ocean! Kealoha is proud of her heritage, hailing from the Big Island of Hawaii, and has a deep connection to her culture. We can’t wait to see Kealoha share that culture, and her undeniable charm, with audiences when the film premieres this summer.
Nani Pelekai (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong)
Caring for Lilo is her older sister, Nani Pelekai. Nani was once a straight-A student with dreams of becoming a marine biologist. Her life changed when she became Lilo’s guardian—now having to balance school with the demands of raising and providing for her rambunctious little sister. She loves Lilo dearly, but is often too busy to understand the wild musings of such an imaginative child.
Sydney Elizebeth Agudong brings Nani to life in Lilo & Stitch. Agudong was born and raised on the island of Kauai and pursued a career in entertainment after graduating high school. She has been cast as the lead in many projects, and has launched several of her own creative ventures—like serving as an executive producer on an upcoming independent film and writing music.
Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere)
The live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch features characters from the 2002 animated film as well as new characters that audiences are sure to love. One such character is Mrs. Kekoa, a social service worker who checks in on Nani and Lilo. She sympathizes with Nani’s situation but is unnerved by the lack of attention given to Lilo. She acts as a mentor for Nani, giving her pointers on how to be a better role model to her sister while also holding her accountable when she messes up.
Tia Carrere has had a well-established career filled with many memorable roles, but Disney fans know her best as the original voice of Nani in Lilo & Stitch (2002). Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, her acting career began after she was discovered at a grocery store. She has brought her Hawaiian heritage to many of creative pursuits—including her music career, for which she has won two Grammy® Awards.
Grand Councilwoman (voiced by Hannah Waddingham)
Grand Councilwoman is the leader of the United Galactic Federation, and a force to be reckoned with! She’s well-intentioned and reasonable, but firm in her desire to bring Stitch back to serve out the rest of his sentence. She has no tolerance for lawbreakers and sends Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) to Earth to find Stitch after he escapes.
Hannah Waddingham voices the Grand Councilwoman—a fitting role for the versatile stage, film, and television star.
Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders)
There’s no Lilo & Stitch without everyone’s favorite alien, Stitch! Experiment 626, as he is also known as, is one of Jumba’s many outlawed genetic experiments. The short-tempered troublemaker has mischief in his DNA. It is because of these traits that Lilo takes a liking to Stitch and believes that he is the friend she wished for. As Lilo and Nani protect Stitch from being captured by the United Galactic Federation, Stitch learns the meaning of “‘ohana” and embraces the love he receives as part of the Pelekai family.
Chris Sanders is an important name to Disney fans. Not only has he been the definitive voice of Stitch for more than two decades, but he’s also worked behind the scenes on other beloved Disney films such as Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Mulan (1998), and of course, co-directed and co-wrote 2002’s Lilo & Stitch! His prowess for creating memorable, heartwarming stories is evident in all his work, with this newest film being no exception.
Tūtũ (Amy Hill)
Tūtũ is a warm, friendly member of Nani and Lilo’s community. A constant presence throughout their lives, she is keenly aware of the struggles that the sisters have faced. She is similar to Mrs. Kekoa in this way, but that’s not the only thing these characters have in common…
Much like Mrs. Kekoa, Tūtũ is played by another member of the cast of the 2002 film, Amy Hill. Disney fans can spot Hill in the 2002 film as a fruit vendor named Mrs. Hasagawa—as well as in other Disney projects including Kim Possible, That’s So Raven, American Dragon: Jake Long, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), black-ish, Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., and more!
David Kawena (Kaipot Dudoit)
David Kawena is one of Nani’s coworkers at the hotel she works at. When he’s not entertaining tourists with his Fire Knife Dance, he loves to go to the beach and surf. He has a huge crush on Nani and his affection for her gives him a soft spot for her little sister, Lilo, and their new “dog,” Stitch, as well.
Hawaiian actor Kaipot Dudoit plays David, and he’s proud to be sharing his culture with audiences around the world in through this new film.
Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance)
Don’t let his last name fool you—Cobra Bubbles is not one to pop under pressure! Cobra Bubbles acts like a social worker assigned to the Pelekai family, but there’s more than meets the eye. He’s actually an undercover CIA agent who has made contact with the United Galactic Federation.
Bubbles is played by Courtney B. Vance, who’s made several appearances around the worlds of Disney—notably on ABC’s Scandal and Revenge, and he’ll soon appear as Zeus in the second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+.
Pleakley (Billy Magnussen)
Pleakley is an enthusiastic and eccentric agent with the United Galactic Federation. He accompanies Jumba on his mission to capture Stitch because he is an expert on Earth (or so he says). Pleakley is played by Billy Magnussen—an actor, writer, and producer who appeared in Disney’s Into the Woods (2014) and the live-action Aladdin (2019).
Jumba (Zach Galifianakis)
Jumba is the evil mastermind from the United Galactic Federation that is responsible for the creation of Stitch. He was arrested for his outlawed genetic experiments, but released on the condition that he would go to Earth to capture Stitch after he escaped. And if that was not punishment enough, Pleakley must go with him on this mission!
Actor, comedian, writer, and producer Zach Galifianakis brings his signature sense of humor to this role; around the worlds of Disney, he can also be seen in episodes of Only Murders in the Building, Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons, and in The Muppets (2011).
With characters new and old and an all-star cast, you won’t want to miss Lilo & Stitch—only in theaters May 23.