Few properties have been as influential as Lilo & Stitch, a film that has been permanently in the cultural psyche since its release in 2001. A remake was always inevitable and ahead of the film's release, director Dean Fleischer Camp and producer Jonathan Eirich sat down with FILMHOUNDS to discuss their new take, the film's cultural significance, and the legacy of Stitch.
Adapting a film as iconic as this is no easy feat, and the creative duo discussed the pressures of approaching this material. Talking about why now was the right time to bite the bullet on a Stitch film, producer Eirich said, “It's in the real world and it's real drama and the story is so timely”. Fleischer continued, “I'm always drawn to material that feels very funny and adventurous, but also has a trap door of emotion. I like to make films to trick my dad into crying in public”.
The pair also discussed the music and iconography of the original film, plus what they'd want to see in future Lilo and Stitch projects. Lilo & Stitch comes hot on the heels of a string of poorly received live-action adaptations from the House of Mouse, and, upgraded from a Disney+ release to a fully fledged theatrical endeavour, a lot is riding on Dean Fleischer Camp's contemporary reimagining.
A live-action take on Disney's 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind the animated feature film Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, the film stars Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis.
Lilo & Stitch is produced by Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman and Ryan Halprin serving as executive producers.
You can check out the full conversation below:
Lilo & Stitch is released in UK cinemas on 21 May
