We are equally excited, because the live-action version of the popular Disney film Lilo and Stitch is in development and Billy Magnussen, who will play the strange alien Pleakley, has given fans an update on how things are progressing.
The original 2002 animated hit enchanted audiences with its story of a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo, who eventually adopts a dog who turns out to be an alien experiment known as Stitch. The film has become a part of many childhoods, with its themes of family, friendship, and acceptance; the famous saying goes: “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.”
Magnussen enthusiastic about Pleakley role
In the live-action film, Magnussen will play Pleakley, a bizarre alien sent to Earth to capture Stitch. As time goes by, Pleakley becomes fascinated by all the things about Earth that are strange and give it its own aura. I recently spoke with Collider's Steve Weintraub about some of his latest projects, including Coup d'état!Magnussen expressed his excitement at the possibility of bringing Pleakley to life, especially in the company of comedian Zach Galifianakis, who is also attached to star in the film.
“I'm not mad. I'm not mad at all about it,” said Magnussen, still pretty excited about the role. “The chance to play a character like Pleakley and just be crazy, which I love to do, was just one of those gifts. I can't describe it. I finally did some ADR for the movie, and I'm like, “Oh, that'll be nice.” “It will be nice.”
Magnussen said Pleakley allowed him to be imaginative and tap into his inner child. “100 percent! I'm an alien who loves Earth and is excited about everything it has to offer, even the saddest things,” he said. He went on to talk about how much fun the set was, including with Maia Kealoha, the little girl who plays Lilo. If I can make the little girl laugh, I was like, “I'm doing it right!”” said Magnussen, expressing the joy he felt in the role.
When asked about the comparisons between this live-action adaptation and the original animated film, Magnussen responded that the new film needs to have its own story.I hope they welcome it as a standalone story. “When they make these live-action movies, sometimes I think people hold on to what the other was, and they’re not in competition,” he explained.
Magnussen thinks that while the film pays homage to the very theme of family and fits with what made the original special, It is also something in its own right and should be considered as such.
The actor concluded by invoking the film's overarching theme of finding family and community. “This adaptation is about finding family and friends, being an outsider and finding your community and your family. I hope you don't fight that and embrace it.” Anyone who wants to revisit the original story before the live-action version hits theaters next summer can stream it Lilo and Stitch on Disney+.
Source: Collider