A veteran Disney Pictures exec has teased that a sequel to their upcoming “Lilo & Stitch” live-action film is already a strong possibility at the Mouse House.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman says he thinks fans already want more of the little blue alien and his lonely Hawaiian girl friend: “It feels like it’s going to work very well, and it’s the kind of property that lends itself to more.”
He’s not wrong in terms of the movie doing well. Set to open in cinemas tomorrow night, the film is projected to take in more than $150 million domestically and a further $125 million overseas in its opening weekend.
Made on a relatively tight $100 million budget, the film was originally going to be a direct to Disney+ streaming premiere but those plans changed last year to a theatrical release.
With 73 reviews counted, the film sits at 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 55/100 on Metacritic, indicating decidedly mixed reviews with many expressing the sentiment that the transition to live-action loses some of the original’s charm.
Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo in the film, alongside Chris Sanders as Stitch, Sydney Agudong as Nani, Kaipo Dudoit as David, Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Amy Hill as Tūtū, Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba, and Billy Magnussen as Agent Pleakley and Jason Scott Lee as a luau manager.
