The latest Disney remake is taking a big step forward as the new Lilo & Stitch has cast its live-action Lilo. The 2002 animated movie revolved around Lilo Pelekai, a Hawaiian girl raied by her sister Nani after their parents' death who adopts the alien experiment she names Stitch and learns of his being hunted by The Galactic Federation. Co-written and co-directed by future How to Train Your Dragon duo Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, Lilo & Stitch was only a modest box office success at the time of its release, but was a critical hit.

The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that Disney's Lilo & Stitch remake has founds its live-action Lilo. The film has landed newcomer Maia Kealoha to portray the eponymous Hawaiian girl who adopts the titular alien as her pet and tries to keep him safe from his extraterrestrial threats. At the time of writing, Disney declined to comment on the casting news, which had first been reported by Knight Edge Media.

Everything We Know About The Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Remake

Nani and Lilo looking at Stitch as he talks at the end of Lilo and Stitch (2002)

A live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has been in development for the better part of five years, with Disney first teaming up with Aladdin producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich and Mike Van Waes attached to write. Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu was at one point in talks to helm the project, though he would later depart for unknown reasons and be replaced by Marcel the Shell With Shoes On director Dean Fleischer Camp, with Chris Kekaniokalani Bright now writing the script.

Kealoha marks only the second actor to join the roster of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake after two-time Emmy winner Zach Galifianakis was cast this past February. The latter's role is currently being kept under wraps, though some reports have indicated The Hangover star is set to appear in the film as Galactic Federation agent Pleakley, who was previously voiced by comedian Kevin McDonald in the original film.

While no other stars have been set for the film, the previous confirmation that Stitch in the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake will be a CGI creation does point towards Kealoha's casting as being a major step forward for the project. Considering it's been almost a year since Fleischer Camp was first hired, it seems likey further casting updates will be announced in the coming weeks, along with a filming start date. In the meantime, audiences can revisit the original Lilo & Stitch streaming on Disney+ now.

Sources: THR/Knight Edge Media