Zach Galifianakis Joins Disney Live-Action Adaptation
Zach Galifianakis is the first big-name actor to be cast in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of Lilo and Stitch.
With recent news of a live action Lilo & Stitch film currently under production, fans of the 2002 Disney original have been dying to know who will be on the esteemed cast. According to a report from Deadline, The Hangover‘s Zack Galifianakis is set to star in the upcoming Disney+ original, though his role is still under wraps. The film is being helmed by Dean Fleischer Camp, who is best known for his Oscar nominated indie film Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, starring Jenny Slate.
Zack Galifianakis is an acclaimed stand up comedian, actor, and producer, who is best known for his work on the Hangover trilogy as well as his sketch comedy with Funny Or Die. Through Funny Or Die, Galifianakis hosted a satirical talk show series not unlike the Adult Swim hit The Eric Andre Show, in which he humorously lampoons his guests with slighted jabs poking fun at their careers and accomplishments. Galifianakis’ show, Between Two Ferns, has had guests including Steve Carell, Jerry Seinfeld, and Bruce Willis, as well as public figures such as Hillary Clinton and former United States President Barack Obama.
In 2019, Between Two Ferns was optioned as a feature film for Netflix, which shows Zack Galifianakis taking his hit show on the road, in hopes of restoring his reputation after conducting an interview which nearly killed Matthew McConaughey. Galifianakis also found success with his David Lynch inspired FX show Baskets, as well as performing voiceover work for The Lego Movie and The Bob’s Burgers Movie. With his trademark beard and disheveled wavy hair, fans are already beginning to speculate which Lilo & Stitch character the comedian could play.
At this time, the only actor other than Zack Galifianakis slated to appear in the upcoming Lilo & Stitch film is Chris Sanders, who provided the voice of the four armed experiment in the 2002 original. Sanders also co-directed the original film alongside Dean DeBlois, and wrote the screenplays for many Disney animated classics such as Aladdin, Mulan, and The Lion King. The new Lilo & Stitch film has been written by Mike Van Waes and Chris Kekaniokalani, and is slated to arrive in 2024.
Zack Galifianakis’ comedy bonafides are well documented, with his dramatic acting occasionally shining through as well in performances such as 2014’s Birman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance), and 2010’s It’s Kind Of A Funny Story. This skillset should come in handy, as Lilo & Stitch has a reputation for being one of the funniest and most emotionally anchored films in Disney’s expansive animated catalogue. With iconic characters voiced by Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, and Tia Carrere, the cast of the live action film will have huge shoes to fill.
Though little is known about the status of the upcoming live action remake, fans can rest assured that the film will be a smash hit after the huge success of previous live action films produced by Disney in recent years, such as 2019’s The Lion King, 2020’s Mulan, and the expected success of the upcoming Little Mermaid film, which is set to arrive in theaters this May. With Zack Galifianakis being the first big name attached to the film, it certainly seems like the live action remake will be in excellent hands.
