Courtney B. Vance and Tia Carrere Share Behind-the-Scenes Moments From Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Remake | WATCH
From Clean Freaks to Scene Stealers: “Lilo & Stitch” Stars Open Up
*EURweb associate Kenny Pettis Jr. sat down with two of the stars of Disney’s highly anticipated “Lilo & Stitch” live-action remake — Courtney B. Vance and Tia Carrere — and the conversation delivered a delightful blend of laughter, praise, and heartfelt admiration for their young co-star Maia Kealoha.
Right off the bat, Pettis threw the duo a fun curveball, asking what quirky trait they had that fans might find amusing — a nod to Stitch’s famously chaotic personality. After a brief moment of brain fog, Vance confessed to being a “clean freak.”
“I can’t go to bed with dishes in the sink. I can’t come home with dirty laundry still in my luggage,” Vance said. “You go to a public bathroom and see water around the sink — I clean it up. Even if I didn’t do it.”
The tidbit earned laughs and nods from Carrere, who could relate. It turns out, even elite Hollywood stars have everyday habits we can all recognize — and sometimes, obsess over.
Maia Kealoha Shines as Lilo in Her Big-Screen Debut
The conversation soon turned toward 8-year-old Maia Kealoha, who plays the beloved Lilo Pelekai. Both Vance and Carrere had nothing but glowing praise for the young actress.
“That girl was so good. Every scene, she was phenomenal,” Carrere said. “There was very little we had to do — she came prepared, she had the talent, and her family was right there supporting her the whole time.”
She even shared a moment where Maia powered through an illness like a true professional.
“She was sick as a little dog. Her nose was running, and she could only work for an hour, but she gave that scene everything she had — over and over again, no complaints,” Carrere recalled. “Then she went home. Total pro.”
Aloha Spirit and Hollywood Magic Come Together
The new “Lilo & Stitch” movie, premiering in theaters May 23, 2025, is a hybrid live-action and CGI remake of Disney’s 2002 animated classic. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the film sticks closely to the original’s plot — a lonely Hawaiian girl adopts what she believes is a dog, only to discover he’s a mischievous alien fugitive known as Experiment 626.
Kealoha stars as Lilo, with Chris Sanders returning to voice Stitch. Courtney B. Vance plays the iconic social worker Cobra Bubbles, while Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the original, returns in a new role as Mrs. Kekoa — a social worker and mentor figure.
New Faces, New Feel, Same ʻOhana
The 2025 version deepens the emotional beats while showcasing real Hawaiian culture. Shot in Oʻahu, the film blends practical sets with lush backdrops and CGI-enhanced aliens, delivering a more grounded visual tone without losing the heart of the original.
The theme of ʻohana — the Hawaiian word for family — is still front and center. Through laughter, loss, and chaotic adventures, Lilo and Stitch’s bond teaches audiences that “nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
What to Expect When It Hits Theaters
- Release Date: May 23, 2025 (theatrical)
- Streaming: September 5, 2025 on Apple TV+
- Rating: PG — a first for a Disney live-action remake
- Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes
With a strong mix of familiar faces, new talent, and a fresh visual approach, Disney’s latest remake is poised to charm a whole new generation. And if Vance and Carrere’s stories are any hint, behind-the-scenes magic was just as special as what’s captured on screen. As Carrere summed it up: “We knew we had to treat [Maia] right. She brought everything. It’s her movie.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Disney Drops ‘Zootopia 2’ Teaser: Judy and Nick Return to Tackle a Serpentine New Mystery
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
The post Courtney B. Vance and Tia Carrere Share Behind-the-Scenes Moments From Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Remake | WATCH appeared first on EURweb.
