From animation to reality: See the Lilo & Stitch live-action cast next to their cartoon counterparts

Lilo & Stitch are returning to the screens with Disney's latest live-action remake of their old classic. The 2D animated film was released in 2002 and introduced kids to Stitch, an extraterrestrial creature, who ends up on Earth in Lilo's house in Hawaii. He fills the hole in Lilo's life, who started feeling lonely after her parents' deaths in a tragic accident. Since then, her older sister, Nani, became her guardian.

The 2002 film was a staple for the kids who grew up at the time. They were charmed by the infectious and adorable goofiness of Lilo and Stitch. More than two decades later, Disney brought back this story to the big screen with a live-action and CGI animation hybrid. It uses CGI to present Stitch and other alien characters and hopes to bring back the memories of the original with heaps of nostalgia.

This is Disney's latest attempt at a live-action reimagining of their older animated projects, which began roughly in the early 2010s. Since then, projects like The Lion King (2019), Mufasa (2024), Cinderella (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and more have earned them a fortune. Their latest crack at this formula seems to be doing well, as per the early projections.

However, before heading to the theaters, some viewers might want to take a look at how different it looks from the 2D animation.

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Here's the Lilo & Stitch live-action cast next to their cartoon counterparts

Stitch

Lilo & Stitch (2002) was co-written and co-directed by Chris Sanders, who also voiced the character of Stitch. Since Stitch is an extraterrestrial creature, Sanders used some gibberish terms as his alien language. However, Stitch also tries to learn some English words after being a part of Lilo and Nani's ohana (family). Sanders returns to voice this character in the 2025 adaptation.

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Lilo

The 2002 film introduced Lilo as a young girl who finds a friend in Stitch and adopts him as a pet dog. It takes her on a wild ride because Stitch rarely behaves nicely as her pet. However, over time, they grow close as friends. Daveigh Chase voiced this character in the 2002 film. The 2025 stars Maia Kealoha in this role.

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Nani

Nani is Lilo's older sister, who needs to take care of her through thick and thin. Initially, she is not on board with taking care of Stitch. She also gets scared of him but eventually gets warmed up to his chaotic presence, thanks to Lilo's persuasion. Tia Carrere, who voiced it in the 2002 film, returns in a different role (social worker Mrs Kekoa) in the 2025 film, while Sydney Elizebeth Agudong plays Nani.

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Grand Councilwoman

Grand Councilwoman is a gray alien who leads the extraterrestrial organization that's in charge of Stitch. Once Stitch goes missing, she sends two of her cronies to find him on Earth. Zoe Caldwell voiced this character before, and Hannah Waddingham voices her this time.

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Cobra Bubbles

In the 2002 film, Cobra Bubbles is a social worker, threatening to put Lilo in a foster care system. However, in the new film, he serves as a substitute character — Captain Gantu, an agent out to find Stitch. Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible) voiced him in the 2002 film. Now, Courtney B. Vance plays Agent Bubbles.

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David

Jason Scott Lee voiced Nani's boyfriend David in the original film. He isn't a fan of Stitch's shenanigans. In the 2025 remake, Lee plays Manager Lu'au while Kaipo Dudoit plays David.

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Dr. Jumba Jookiba

The four-eyed creature we see in the 2002 film is Dr Jumba Jookiba, an alien sent by the Councilwoman to find Stitch. David Ogden Stiers voiced him in the 2002 film, while Zach Galifianakis plays (and voices) him now.

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Agent Pleakley

The single-eyed alien with an antenna-like growth over his head is Agent Peakley, Jumba Jookiba's associate, out to find Stitch. Kevin McDonald voiced him in the original, while Billy Magnussen plays (and voices) him now.

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