Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' remake draws warm reception at Beijing premiere

Disney's live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch" premiered in Beijing on May 16, with the story of a Hawaiian girl and her alien companion drawing positive reactions from Chinese audiences.

A still from "Lilo & Stitch." [Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures]

The film, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo alongside Sydney Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere and Hannah Waddingham, with Chris Sanders, who directed the original 2002 animated version, returning to voice Stitch.

The film follows a young Hawaiian girl who befriends a troublemaking alien, in a story about family bonds that mirrors the plot of the popular original.

Stitch, officially designated Experiment 626, a fugitive alien from Planet Turo, has become both a global fan favorite and merchandising phenomenon. Disney aims to capitalize on the character's enduring popularity with this new film. The original animated film remains a Disney cornerstone, known for its humor, emotional depth and Hawaiian setting.

The live-action adaptation, written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, maintains the original's themes of family and belonging while showcasing Hawaiian landscapes and culture, according to Disney.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp aimed to update the story for contemporary audiences while preserving the characters' appeal.

"The original has always been my favorite Disney film, and I was blown away when I first saw it," Camp said, noting the film's unique visual style, rooted in Sanders' artistic vision, set it apart from other Disney productions. He described it as an unconventional fairytale set in contemporary Hawaii, focusing on ordinary characters pursuing happiness. This realistic foundation, he said, made it ideal for a live-action adaptation that could explore deeper emotional truths while staying faithful to the original.

Sanders, who directed the 2002 original and created Stitch's distinctive design to challenge alien movie conventions, insisted on continuing to voice the character despite working on another project.

"I'm going to do this voice for as long as I possibly can. This is a very personal character to me," said Sanders, who was producing "The Wild Robot" for DreamWorks when casting for the remake began.

Singer Lars Huang poses with a giant Stitch statue installation at Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping district in Beijing for the China premiere, May 16, 2025. [Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company]

"Having Chris Sanders back was a dream come true," said Camp. "He has been so generous with not just his voice, but his time and his mind in guiding us and telling us when we're off track and making himself open to advice and answering questions. And then getting into the ADR booth and just seeing that voice come out of his face was totally surreal. I know, intellectually, Chris Sanders does the voice of Stitch, and I know Chris Sanders, but then my brain exploded when I saw the two together."

The film stars Hawaiian newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, a spirited 6-year-old with a love for hula and Elvis Presley. Filmmakers reviewed over 800 audition tapes before casting the Big Island native, who they said captures the character's distinctive personality and emotional depth.

"Maia's a born performer, but it was her inherent curiosity and imagination that struck us," the director said.

The China premiere featured singer Lars Huang performing the Chinese theme song for "Lilo & Stitch" — his Mandarin cover of Elvis Presley's "Burning Love" — along with a meet-and-greet session and a ceremony illuminating a giant Stitch statue at Beijing's Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping district.

"'Burning Love' is a vibrant and romantic song," Huang said of his Mandarin cover. "Through my vocals, I hope to capture Stitch's irresistible charm while conveying the song's passionate message of love. May it inspire listeners to embrace life courageously and find their own 'ohana."

The song will be released simultaneously with the film on May 23.

Guests pose for a group photo on a Stitch-themed flight of China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai to Beijing for the "Lilo & Stitch" premiere, May 15, 2025. [Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company]

China Eastern Airlines operated a "Lilo & Stitch"-themed flight from Shanghai to Beijing on May 15, carrying premiere attendees, with the decorated aircraft set to continue serving international routes, the airline said.