Disney’s recent effort to adapt an animated classic into live-action is generating fan reactions reminiscent of the “Snow White” controversy from earlier this year.
Concerns about “Lilo & Stitch” have arisen, particularly after director Dean Fleischer Camp mentioned that he wanted to retain an iconic moment from the original, which was ultimately not included.
The buzz began when Camp posted a Q&A on TikTok on Monday, addressing fans’ questions about an upcoming trailer for the franchise.
During the session, Camp revealed that he faced inquiries regarding whether Pleakley would don a dress and wig while searching for Stitch, a character he plays in the film.
“I’ve had people ask me, ‘Why isn’t Pleakley in a dress?’ I just want to say, I tried… I really did,” Camp admitted, sounding a bit overwhelmed.
He even shared sketches of his vision for the character as he prepares for the live-action adaptation.
In the movie, Pleakley and his partner, Dr. Jumba Jookiba, embark on a mission to capture Stitch, who has escaped to Earth and landed in Hawaii. Throughout the story, they must disguise themselves to blend in with humans while on their quest.
However, in the recently released trailer, both Pleakley (played by Billy Magnussen) and Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) appear as men, which has raised eyebrows.
This revelation seems to echo the challenges Disney faced with their portrayal of the Seven Dwarves in “Snow White,” which faced its own set of controversies. The film struggled at the box office, only bringing in $69 million domestically and $145 million worldwide—well below its production cost of $410 million.
Other remakes have not been devoid of criticism either. In the 2016 adaptation of “The Jungle Book,” changes made to King Louie’s character sparked disappointment among fans. Similarly, the removal of key musical numbers from “Mulan” and alterations to Flounder in the “Little Mermaid” remake did not go unnoticed.
The recent controversies surrounding Pleakley in “Lilo & Stitch” have fans questioning whether this reboot can live up to the original film’s legacy.
Fans flocked to the comments section of Camp’s Q&A, sharing their displeasure regarding the direction taken.
The live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch” is set for release in theaters across the United States on May 23rd. It has already garnered over 100 million views on social media since its trailer premiere in mid-March.
“That ‘I tried’ speaks volumes. Your concept for Pleakley looks good,” one fan commented, while others expressed frustration over the absence of the character’s traditional attire.
“What are you doing with Pleakley? Disney is being cowardly for not including the true version of the character,” another remarked.
The response from Disney on these issues has yet to be communicated.
