Fans in Uproar as Disney Quietly Reverses One Key Element of Original ‘Lilo & Stitch’
The first look at Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has fans buzzing — but not entirely for the right reasons.
While early reactions have largely praised the film’s faithfulness to the beloved 2002 animated classic, one character redesign has sparked online outrage: Pleakley.
Pleakley Receives A Makeover
In Lilo & Stitch, Pleakley is one of two aliens sent to Earth to capture Stitch, teaming up with his partner-in-crime, Jumba. Their mission quickly spirals into chaos as they track the mischievous Experiment 626 through Hawaii, all while trying — and failing — to blend in with the human world. The pair’s poorly executed disguises become a running gag, adding to the film’s offbeat humor.
What made Pleakley especially memorable was his flair for the dramatic, often choosing wigs, dresses, and bold fashion choices as part of his human disguises. In one standout scene, Jumba grabs at Pleakley’s wig, only for Pleakley to snap back, “You’re just jealous because I’m pretty!” It’s a small but iconic moment that perfectly captures his over-the-top personality and adds to the film’s unique charm.
However, the live-action trailer paints a different picture. Pleakley, portrayed by Billy Magnussen, and Jumba, played by Zach Galifianakis, still don disguises, but the alien quirkiness seems toned down. Pleakley’s signature affinity for feminine fashion appears to have been replaced by traditionally male attire.
Fans were quick to notice the shift. “Look what they’ve done to our diva,” one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another lamented, “They gave Pleakley normal human disguises instead of their girly dress ups? CHOPP.” A third noted, “I just realized that they had Pleakley disguised as a human man when in the movie and the series he’d always have cute femme disguises. It’s official this remake sucks.”
The ‘Unwoke’ Debate Reignites
This controversy feeds into a larger, ongoing debate about Disney’s approach to representation. In recent years, the company has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum — some accusing it of pushing “woke” agendas through diverse casting and modernized storylines, while others claim Disney is backpedaling to appease more conservative audiences.
Recently, the Disney+ series Win or Lose reportedly cut a transgender storyline, and now, some fans see the Pleakley redesign as another move away from inclusive storytelling.
“Omfg they’re really ‘unwoking’ Lilo & Stitch,” one X user claimed. Another added, “Disney can and will cater to the Right if they think it’ll help the bottom line.”
Of course, the trailer only offers a brief look at the film, set for release in 2025. It’s possible Pleakley’s iconic flamboyance still makes an appearance, just not in the preview footage. Yet, the omission has left fans worried that the live-action remake may lack some of the charm and humor that made the original so memorable.
As one fan put it simply: “The original made it a lot funnier.”
With only two minutes of footage so far, there’s still room for surprises. But if Pleakley’s bold fashion choices truly don’t make the cut, Disney might be facing more than just a Stitch-level meltdown from fans.
Backlash Against Live-Action Disney Movies
Disney’s live-action remakes have sparked growing backlash in general, with fans increasingly divided on the studio’s reimagining of its animated classics.
While some appreciate the updated visuals and fresh interpretations, others argue these adaptations lack the heart and charm of the originals. Films like The Lion King (2019) were criticized for their hyper-realistic CGI, which some felt stripped the characters of their expressiveness, while Mulan (2020) drew backlash for omitting key elements like the beloved dragon sidekick Mushu and the musical numbers that defined the animated version.
More recently, Disney’s upcoming Snow White (2025) – which hits theaters next week – has faced its own wave of controversy. Starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess, the film has been criticized for its modern reinterpretation of the classic story.
Zegler’s comments about Snow White no longer being saved by the prince and instead becoming a leader sparked heated online debates, with some accusing Disney of straying too far from the original fairytale (and Zegler of lacking the appropriate respect for Disney’s OG princess).
How do you feel about the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch?
