Zach Galifianakis has reportedly joined the live-action reboot of Lilo & Stitch.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 53-year-old actor recently closed a deal to star in the long-awaited project set for Disney+. The film was announced several years ago, with Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) attached to direct; the studio has since confirmed that Dean Fleischer Camp will helm the remake with a script by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright. The news comes as Camp rides the success of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, his stop-motion animated film that’s up for Best Animated Feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The details surrounding Galifianakis’ role remain under wraps. However, his casting suggests that the film is finally picking up steam. THR reports the studio is now searching for actors to play Lilo and her older sister, Nani, while Stitch will be presented through CGI animation.
Lilo & Stitch premiered in 2002, and kicked off a beloved franchise that included a TV series and three additional films: Stitch! The Movie, Lilo & Stitch 2, and Leroy & Stitch. The original animated film told the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts Stitch, a genetically engineered creature that was mistaken for a dog. Lilo & Stitch features several important themes, including the concept of personal identity as well as the importance of love and belonging.
Stay tuned as more information about the live-action adaptation becomes available.