The casting controversies surrounding Disney's live action Lilo & Stitch remake have continued as the character of David has been recast. While Disney did not officially confirm the original casting for the part, it was widely circulated that Kahiau Machado would take on the role of Nani's love interest and Lilo's friend. Machado was set to appear alongside the film's growing cast list which includes Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Zach Galifianakis as agent Wendy Pleakley, Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch, Sydney Agudong as Nani, and Maia Kealoha as Lilo.
Just one week after it was reported that Kahiau Machado would portray David in the live action Lilo & Stitch remake, Disney has officially recast the part with Kaipot Dudoit now in the role of David. According to The Hollywood Reporter, after Machado was given the role, Disney's vetting process uncovered past social media posts from the actor in which he used racial slurs. Notably, Machado's recasting was not a result of widespread online criticism over his skin being far lighter than his animated counterpart, which many perceived as an attempt by Disney to whitewash the original story, effectively undermining its championing of native Hawaiian culture.
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Cast Controversy Explained
Dudoit's casting in lieu of Machado comes amid prevalent negative regarding the casting choices for Lilo & Stitch. As much as the announcement of 6-year-old Hawaiian native Kealoha taking on the titular lead delighted eager viewers, this excitement quickly faded as the rest of the main cast were released. The casting of Agudong as Nani led to mass outrage across social media as many pointed out that the actor is considerably lighter-skinned than the original animated character.
Strikingly disparate side-by-side comparisons of the remake's cast with the animated characters of the original 2002 classic sparked accusations of colorism against Disney. This backlash has been especially disappointing as the original Lilo & Stitch made history as the first feature-length animated film set in Hawaii and was heralded for its authentic portrayal of the indigenous culture there. As many have been optimistic about current live-action remakes like The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan ushering in a new wave of diversity, the seeming whitewashing of Lilo & Stitch feels like a considerable step back and a reflection of a larger systemic issue of colorism in the film industry.
While neither director Dean Fleischer Camp nor anyone else involved in the remake early in its development have commented on the ongoing discord surrounding the film, the recasting of David is merely the first casting choice fans are urging them to reconsider. Whether the backlash surrounding the rest of the cast grows strong enough that more recasting announcements follow will be clear soon enough. Lilo & Stitch is set to film this year.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
