Zach Galifianakis will be making a return to the big screen in a live-action remake of Disney’sLilo & Stitch.Written and directed by Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders, the story about a young Hawaiian girl befriending a feisty blue alien wasn’t one of Disney’s most successful films, but it’s developed aloyal, ever-growing cult following over the years.
The original movie starred Daveigh Chase as Lilo, Tia Carrere as Nani, Chris Sanders as Stitch, David Ogden Stiers as Jumba, and Kevin McDonald as Pleakley. While the original premiered in theaters, it appears that the remake will be released on Disney+.
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While Galifianakis has signed on to be in the film,The Hollywood Reporternotes that it’s unclear what his role will be. Many of the film’s roles are unfilled, with the studio still activelysearching for actors to play Lilo and Nani. Two positions that have been filled are the director and writer. Dean Fleischer Camp,whose filmMarcel the Shell with Shoes Onreceived an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, is set to direct theLilo & Stichremake. Chris Kekaniokalani Bright has written the script for the remake, and while Bright was involved as a crew member in the 2016 Disney filmMoana, this would be his first credit on a feature film as a writer. So far, Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich have signed on to produce the movie, and Ryan Halprin has signed on as an executive producer. All three are a part of the Los Angeles-based production studio Rideback Ranch.
Those following Galifianakis’s career may have noticed he’s been mostly absent from the big screen for several years now. Rather than appearing in live-action films, the star ofThe Hangoverfilms has spent most of his recent career focused on television and voice acting. Specifically, Galifianakis spent a few years working onBaskets, the FX comedy about a man trying to realize his dreams of becoming a professional clown. Galifianakis created and starred in the show, and even wrote an episode.
Galifianakis has also offered his voice to characters likeJoker inThe Lego Batman Movie, Ron inRon’s Gone Wrong, Mr. Link inThe Missing Link, and Felix Fischoeder intheBob’s Burgersshow and movie. In 2019, Galifianakis did write, produce, and star inBetween Two Ferns: The Movie, an interview-style movie that premiered on Netflix and was based on his showBetween Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis. The show and movie share the same premise - Galifianakis sits down with celebrities and uses his skills as a comedian to produce entertaining interviews.
The announcement of his deal with Disney for theLilo & Stitchremake along with his upcoming roles in Elizabeth Banks’The Beanie Bubbleand Susanna Fogel’sWinnercould signal Galifianakis’s dedicated return to movies. While he appeared in a few movies during the 2010s, Galifianakis has not been in a major studio film since Disney’sA Wrinkle in Timefrom 2018. The possibility of Galifianakis becoming more involved in movies again is an exciting prospect for fans who’ve missed hisHangoverandDue Datedays.
The 2002Lilo & Stitchis available to stream now on Disney+.
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