Summary

Gantu isn't in the live-action "Lilo & Stitch" due to difficulty in live-action adaptation.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp believes Jumba as the villain enhances the storyline.
Fans praise the "Lilo & Stitch" live-action remake for strong characters and box office success.

Released in theaters on May 23rd, 2025, Disney's Lilo and Stitch live-action remake has been a big hit. The movie drew huge crowds on Memorial Day Weekend, along with Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, and fans of the original were excited to check it out. Like the 2002 animated movie, the story follows Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha), an orphan living in Hawaii who becomes close to Stitch (Chris Sanders), a charming blue alien. The movie also stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Lilo's older sister Nani and Courtney B. Vance as CIA agent Cobra Bubbles. While Tia Carrere voiced Nani in the first movie, she voices a kind-hearted social worker named Mrs. Kekoa in the remake.

The memorable trailer was the first sign that some Disney live-action remakes work. However, after heading to their local movie theater and getting swept up in this story several years after the original was released, several fans noticed that one character wasn't included in the new Lilo & Stitch. While some might not agree with this change, it was ultimately a smart move.

Lilo and Stitch’s Early Box Office Tracking Is Unexpected

Lilo and Stitch's box office opening is projected to be a boon for Disney during a down year thus far.

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By Henry-Damian Justice

Gantu Is Missing From The Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Movie, And That's Okay

Captain Gantu isn't in the Lilo & Stitch live-action movie, and Dean Fleischer Camp, the film's director, gave an interview to Cinemablend about why. He said:

"Gantu was one of those things that just didn't work so well in live action. We explored it a bit, but ultimately we had to make the decision."

Camp continued, "And also I do stand by the decision 'cause I feel like a lot of the things that in trying to ground these characters more and tell a story with a little more emotional depth, especially between the sisters, I feel like you have to free up real estate to allow that breathing room to do those things."

One of the most notable changes made in the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake is leaving Gantu out and making Jumba the villain. While it would have been cool to see how a live-action version of Gantu, this was ultimately a logical choice. As Camp told Entertainment Weekly, "I thought there was a nice opportunity here for [Jumba] to turn and become the villain in the third act." Lilo & Stitch is a sweet and heartwarming story about family, and this twist makes the story even more compelling.

While it would be fun if Disney put their biggest movies in theaters again, the success of Lilo & Stitch proves that it's possible to make a great live-action remake. Although there are many reasons why the movie is so engaging and memorable, the decision to make Dr. Jumba Jookiba the villain is definitely one of them. Since Jumba is the scientist who created Stitch, it makes sense to give him a more prominent role. It's also fun to hear Zach Galifianakis voice this character since he's such a beloved comedic talent.

Like other classic Disney stories, Lilo & Stitch is about good vs. Evil, moving forward after loss, and family dynamics. And, like those other movies, it makes sense to have one villain to focus on. While the movie would still have been good with Gantu, his absence doesn't make or break the live-action remake. It can be tricky to know what to include and what to leave out of a remake, but in this case, it might have been too complicated to feature Gantu. In the end, this decision doesn't ruin the bond between the two main characters or the heartwarming family story about Lilo and Nani.

Do Fans Think Gantu Should Have Been Included In Lilo & Stitch?

Lilo and Nani in a hammock in Lilo & Stitch

While fans have mixed feelings about Disney's live-action remakes, many enjoyed Lilo & Stitch. Several discussed Gantu's absence on Reddit, and several fans thought it made sense to leave him out. One fan wrote:

"I can’t imagine having a captain Gantu of the correct scale would be believable and family friendly... Having a giant, realistic looking alien kidnapping children doesn’t sound like it would work very well."

Redditor @Promech added:

"the absence of Gantu was only evident if you watched the original. If you watched this movie, there was really no void left by his absence. Jamba fills the villain role very well, and it makes sense why he would be the villain."

StThoughtWheelz praised the "great moments of heart and growth for the characters" in the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, and while some might have wanted to see Gantu, there's no denying the movie's impressive box office performance.

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