Disney has announced that it has found its actress to play Nani in the upcoming Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation. Sydney Elizabeth Agudong will be joining the film’s director Dean Fleischer Camp in bringing the 2002 animated film to life in the role of Nani, Lilo’s older sister and guardian.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, she will be joining Maia Kealoha (playing Lilo) and Zach Galifianakis (playing Peakley), both of whom were announced back in March and February 2023 respectively. Neither Disney nor Agudong’s representatives have commented on the casting.
Agudong started her acting career in 2013 when she played Ellen in the film Second Chances. According to the actress’ IMDB page, she’s known for her roles in the 2021 TV series On My Block, the 2022 TV movie Infamously in Love, the 2021 film West Michigan, and the 2021 short Turning the Tide.
The Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation was first announced in 2018, with The Lego Movie‘s Dan Lin and 2019’s Aladdin Jonathan Eirich confirmed to be the film’s producers. The film faced multiple delays due to production issues, such as script rejections and the search for a new director due to In The Heights director Jon M. Chu’s departure from the project.
At the moment, details about the film still remain under wraps, but it is expected to follow the 2002 film’s plot, with some changes so it appeals to a modern audience. A scheduled release date for Lilo & Stitch live-action film has not yet been made public.
