With the troublesome Snow White in Disney’s rearview mirror, the company is looking ahead to its next live-action adaptation… and beyond. Lilo & Stitch opens Friday and is tracking to be a big hit—and Disney, which was said to be re-thinking its remake strategy after Snow White, is already eagerly plotting a follow-up.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman said “It feels like it’s going to work very well, and it’s the kind of property that lends itself to more.”
He also noted that the demand for Lilo & Stitch merch, which was already strong, has skyrocketed as the remake’s release date approaches—”We’ve seen the thing explode from a Disney+ and consumer-products perspective”—which is surely another compelling reason for the company to get a sequel going ASAP.
Casual Disney fans who think the 2002 animated Lilo & Stitch is the only existing entry in the franchise might be surprised to know that the story—following a Hawaiian girl and her mischievous alien bestie—has enjoyed a robust life beyond the big screen. There are two direct-to-video sequels as well as a made-for-TV sequel, three animated series, two TV specials, and a handful of short films.
There have also been several Lilo & Stitch video games and/or games featuring the characters, who’ve also enjoyed a prominent ongoing presence at Disney theme parks. And as previously mentioned, there’s a seemingly insatiable demand for Stitch-related merch.
According to the WSJ, director Dean Fleischer Camp’s Friday release is likely to beat Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning at the Memorial Day weekend box office, and capture the number one spot worldwide too. And there’s already a foundation in place for live-action remake sequels, with 102 Dalmations (and spin-off Cruella), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and Mufasa: The Lion King exploring the world beyond the films that preceded them.
As for the nearer future, the live-action Moana is still on track to arrive in July 2026, itself riding the wave of the animated Moana 2‘s huge theatrical haul last year. More nebulous are the in-development projects adapting The Aristocats, Hercules, Bambi, Tangled, and others—but Lilo & Stitch‘s seemingly guaranteed success could provide them all a boost.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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