THR has reported that Chris Sanders will direct Lilo & Stitch 2, the upcoming sequel to the live-action blockbuster. Of course, Sanders is no stranger to the franchise, as he co-created, co-wrote, and co-directed the original animated Lilo & Stitch movie, not to mention voicing Stitch himself.
Lilo & Stitch 2 is expected to start shooting later this year, with Sanders directing from his own script. The original live-action film was directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) from a script by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. The film is slated for a May 26, 2028 release.
The animated movie was followed by two direct-to-video sequels, Stitch! The Movie and Stitch Has a Glitch, as well as Lilo & Stitch: The Series, but the live-action sequel will be a brand-new story.
This project won’t be Sanders’ first time directing a live-action movie, as he previously helmed The Call of the Wild starring Harrison Ford.
Although many of us continue to question Disney’s seemingly endless desire to remake all its animated classics into live-action movies, it’s hard to deny that the money keeps rolling in. Lilo & Stitch was one of the highest-grossing films of 2025, bringing in $1.038 billion worldwide. So, of course, there was always going to be a sequel.
In his review, our own Tyler Nichols found the film to be one of Disney’s better live-action remakes.
“I still remember seeing the original film in theaters and have very fond memories of the 2D animation. They were able to update it for live action without stepping on the toes of its cartoon counterpart, resisting the urge to arbitrarily change a ton,” he wrote in his review. “Had Disney just kept making these style of live action remakes, I don’t think they’d be in the situation they currently are. Because Lilo & Stitch is a good time at the movies that is sure to please fans, old and new alike. On the cartoon to live action front, it’s hard to see Disney topping this.“