The Lilo & Stitch live-action movie casts a newcomer to play David, Nani’s love interest. Released in 2002, Disney’s animated cult classic chronicled the unlikely bond between a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo (who is raised by her older sister Nani after their parents’ deaths), and a chaotic blue koala-like alien called Stitch. The live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, which is helmed by Marcel the Shell With Shoes On director Dean Fleischer Camp, has cast Zach Galifianakis alongside newcomers Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong as Lilo and Nani, respectively.
Now, soon after the live-action Lilo & Stitch‘s Nani casting caused controversy, the Disney movie has added its first actor after the backlash. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kahiau Machado has been cast as David Kawena, a hapless surfer who serves as Nani’s love interest and Lilo’s friend. By adding another unknown actor, this continues Disney’s trend of casting newcomers in the lead roles.
The Live-Action Lilo & Stitch’s Nani Casting Controversy Explained
The live-action Lilo & Stitch cast Sydney Agudong as Nani, Lilo’s older sister and legal guardian. Since the animated Hawaiian character in 2002’s Lilo & Stitch is much darker skinned than the actor cast to play her in live-action, the casting decision was criticized by fans as “blatant colorism” that represents a larger trend in Hollywood that needs to be addressed. Agudong, who is a relative newcomer known for an episode of NCIS and two episodes of Netflix’s On My Block, is a Hawaiian native.
By adding Machado as David, the live-action Lilo & Stitch continues its trend of casting unknown Hawaiian actors. However, as the first new star after the Nani casting backlash, it remains to be seen if Machado’s casting continues causing controversy. Disney is clearly committed to casting Hawaiian actors in the live-action Lilo & Stitch, though many fans have argued they are essentially whitewashing the original movie by not opting for actors of Indigenous descent with darker skin.
