Chris Sanders, the co-creator and voice of Stitch, has been confirmed to direct and voice the character in Disney's upcoming Lilo & Stitch 2, according to the studio's announcement following the billion-dollar global box office success of the live-action remake. The sequel will reunite Sanders with Maia Kealoha, who stars as Lilo, as production gears up. Disney's swift greenlighting of a sequel underscores the commercial strengtth of reimagined classics in the current market.

The Billion-Dollar Green Light: Why Disney Rushed a Sequel

As the source details, the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake grossed over a billion dollars worldwide,a performance that prompted Disney to move quickly on a sequel. This figure is especially notable given that the original 2002 animated film earned about $273 million globally on a $80 million budget, according to historical box office data . The remake's success suggests that audiences are hungry for familiar IP with a fresh coat of paint,a trend Disney has leaned into heavily with its live-action slate.

Chris Sanders' Two-Hat Return: Director and Voice of Stitch

Sanders, who co-directed the original with Dean DeBlois and has voiced Stitch since 2002, will direct the sequel and reprise his vocal role. The announcement states that Sanders' deep personal connection to the franchise makes him uniquely suited to maintain the heartfelt spirit and humor of the original. His track record includes co-directing How to Train Your Dragon with DeBlois and the acclaimed The Wild Robot, both at DreamWorks. This dual role—director and voice actor—is rare in major franchise sequels and signals Disney's desire for continuity.

From Hawaii to Hollywood: Sanders' Journey Since 2002

After the original Lilo & Stitch, Sanders and DeBlois moved to DreamWorks, where they created the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, which itself received a live-action remake this year. Sanders later directed The Croods, made his live-action debut with The Call of the Wild starring Harrison Ford, and returned to DreamWorks for The Wild Robot, which is reportedly in development for a sequel . This varied career , bridging animation and live-action, positions Sanders to handle the hybrid demands of the Lilo & Stitch 2 production.

What's Next for Lilo and Stitch: Maia Kealoha and Unanswered Questions

The sequel will feature Maia Kealoha reprising her role as Lilo, but the report leaves several key details unresolved. Unanswered questions include whether the entire oriinal voice cast—such as Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani—will return, and whether the plot will adapt an existing story or be entirely original . Additionally, it remains unclear if Dean DeBlois, Sanders' longtime collaborator, will be involved in any capacity. The source describes this as a developing story, with further production details expected to emerge.

A Familiar Pattern: The Remake-Sequel Pipeline

Disney's decision to fast-track a sequel mirrors its strategy with The Lion King (2019), which grossed $1.6 billion and spawned a prequel-midquel. As the report notes, the success of the Lilo & Stitch remake continues a broader industry trend: studios using live-action remakes as launchpads for new content, rather than standalone projects. This approach raises questions about creative fatigue, but for now, the billion-dollar figure makes the business case clear.