Disney has added newcomer Kahiau Machado to the growing cast of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Machado will portray David Kawena, love-interest to Nani and friend to Lilo. Jason Scott Lee voiced David in the 2002 animated film. Machado is the latest to join the cast of director Dead Fleischer Camp’s (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. It was announced in late March that Maia Kealoha would be portraying Lilo. It was recently announced that Sydney Elizabeth Agudong would be playing Nani, Lilo’s older sister, and guardian. Although their roles are unknown, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen have also been cast.
‘Lilo & Stitch’ Remake Casting Stirs Up Backlash for Disney
Machado is the latest of many who have only recently joined the Lilo & Stitch remake cast. However, not everyone is happy with some of Disney’s casting choices. Agudong, who is portraying Nani, is an actress of Filipino descent who was born and raised on the island of Kauai. Disney is facing backlash for not casting a Native Hawaiian in the role. Critics also say that Agudong is too light-skinned to play Nani, claiming that she is taking a role belonging to a Native Hawaiian actress of a dark complexion.
While Disney is a thriving empire, it has faced criticism for past portrayals of racism and lack of representation. For example, the first live-action Disney movie Song of the South, which inspired the ride Splash Mountain, has always been controversial for its portrayal of slavery. This is why the movie has never been released for home viewing and why Splash Mountain is being redesigned. And, of course, Disney has recently made a step towards more representation by casting black actress Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid remake.
While some may be upset about Sydney Agudong’s casting, Hawaiian representation is taking place with the castings of Mia Kealoha and Kahiau Machado in the Lilo & Stitch remake. The movie is planned to be a Disney+ release, though no date has been decided on for release as the film is only gearing up for production.
