The Live-action of Lilo and Stitch causes controversy for this decision in the cast

Recently, the news came to light that Disney has in hands one new live-action adaptationthis time from the animated film of Lilo and Stitchof which he already revealed part of the cast and He has sparked controversy over his choices.

Following its new tradition of adapting its great classics such as Aladdin, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid or Peter Pan, the mouse company is working on the new version of Lilo’s storyone of his animated films with a great subtext about what happens around Lilo and her sister, two orphans who live on the island of Hawaii.

In one of its latest updates, the company revealed who will be the actress who will give life to Nani, the older sister of the little protagonist, will be Sydney Agudong who gives life to the character, so many users jumped on networks when they noticed thate his skin color is different from the animated character.

They criticize Nani for “whitening” in the Live-action of Lilo and Stitch

With the official cast revealed, many criticized Agudong as Lilo’s sister, arguing that her skin is too white and that Native Hawaiian heritage is important in the development of the story.

They accused the new project of “whitewashing” or whitewashing, “We can’t ignore the way Disney intends to show native people in their live-action movie” users expressed on Twitter.

And suddenly the people who were so concerned and annoyed by the lack of fidelity to the ethnicity of the characters with The Little Mermaid were, look but what it is, silent.

I’m sure she’s a good actress and will do a good job, but the colorism is REAL.

— Red Solo (@theRedSolo_)
April 14, 2023

While others expressed that, while The choice of actress for the adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ was criticized‘, the commotion over the choice of this new film has not sparked such controversy.

It may interest you: Things that only adults noticed in Lilo and Stitch; the truth is sadder

What is the social discourse behind Lilo and Stitch?

Although it is a Disney children’s movie, its story contains a subtext loaded with a strong anti-colonialist discoursewhere it is observed how Lilo and her sister are affected in various ways by tourists and new residents who displace the natives of the island.

Through deleted scenes and the look of the little protagonist, we can observe the objectification they experienceHis response being Lilo, as a small Hawaiian native captures them with her lens, replicating what the island’s visitors do.