I think there’s one thing we, as a society, need to come together and agree on: no one wants to see a “realistic” CGI version of Stitch, the little blue gremlin of death and friendship that stars in the Disney animated movie Lilo & Stitch. Put it on the next election ballot as a referendum, get some data. Because we need to lay down the law, and we need to lay it down now. Because we’re running out of time.
To wit: the Hollywood Reporter shared yesterday that Jon M. Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians, is in talks with Disney to direct the still-in-process live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. The film is being produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback, which produced the Aladdin remake. Currently, Disney’s also looking for more writing talent to revise the original script written by Mike Van Waes.
And, ok: if you’re going to make a movie, this is good talent. Chu’s an exciting new director, these are clearly talented people who know how to make a movie. But this does not make this movie a good idea. Lilo & Stitch is a wonderful, sweet tale of a young girl and her older sister healing their family with the help of an adorable alien superweapon. It’s a story of Hawaiian culture, and love, and learning to be happy together even in really hard times. It’s a movie that deeply relies on the cute, warm empathy you develop as a viewer toward Stitch, who looks like a teddy bear come to life in hand-drawn animation.
Please. I do not want to see him in live action. Realism would ruin him. Don’t do this to me, Disney. Just put the licence down, and let’s all go home.