Very similar to another followers observing the 2025 film schedule, I’m skeptical relating to the roster of upcoming Disney live-action remakes forward. These types of reservations usually are not an issue relating to the reimagined model of 2002’s Lilo & Sew, as I stay excited for that flick. Nevertheless, there was one factor worrying me about this revamp of an emotional traditional, and it entails Earth skilled/drag icon Agent Pleakley.
There’s been lots of speak concerning whether or not Pleakley will put on clothes within the live-action movie very similar to his animated counterpart did within the authentic film. Now, director Dean Fleischer Camp has addressed that topic instantly, and the reply is a bit heartbreaking.
Lilo & Sew Addresses The Probabilities Of Seeing Pleakley Cross Gown
I hate to be the bearer of dangerous information, however my suspicions from the Lilo & Sew trailer have been confirmed. In a TikTok video that sees Camp highlighting feedback and questions from followers, the filmmaker broached the topic of Pleakley’s human disguise and supplied up the next response:
I’ve had individuals message me [asking,] ‘Why is Pleakley not sporting a costume?’ And I simply need to say I attempted.
There you’ve gotten it, people. Billy Magnussen’s new iteration of this Plorgonarian enforcer for the Galactic Federation will not be going to be comically skating by on a barely human disguise. Though, one might have guessed as a lot when watching that trailer, because the transient introduction to Pleakley and Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zack Galifianakis) confirmed these companions wanting like two common human buddies on a enterprise retreat.
Now, I’m certain we’ll nonetheless get the bickering and squabbling from Dr. Jookiba and Agent Pleakley that film followers and Disney+ subscription holders have all the time loved. It’s a core piece of their characters, particularly once they first go to Earth as an odd couple randomly paired off in Lilo & Sew.
That being mentioned, I can see why followers, and even the Marcel, the Shell with Sneakers On director/co-writer, are disappointed over the changes made. And, to actually talk about that, we have to soar into some long-standing fan canon that now seems to have been discarded.
Lilo & Stitch’s Huge Change To Pleakley Means Extra To Followers Than You’d Suppose
What’s maybe essentially the most disappointing improvement relating to Jumba and Pleakley’s Lilo & Sew efficiency is the truth that for fairly a while followers have learn this pair as being in a same-sex relationship. Admittedly, it’s by no means outright mentioned in both of the sequels or Lilo & Sew: The Collection. Nevertheless, the implication amounted to what was extensively thought to be a chunk of constructive queer illustration.
Respectively voiced by the late David Ogden Stiers and Youngsters within the Corridor alum Kevin McDonald within the 2002 authentic, Jumba and Pleakley finally put apart their variations and develop into a part of the identical ohana because the Lilo & Sew solid’s foremost characters. Some have even known as them “Lilo’s two dads.”
But, for those who thought that reply was heartbreaking, wait till you see Dean Fleischer Camp’s supply in his TikTok video, which is shared beneath:
@marceltheshellwshoeson
♬ original sound – Marcel the Shell
I don’t assume this change will break the story of this live-action enhanced iteration. On the similar time, it’s laborious to not really feel one thing when seeing Camp’s response in addition to the unused character idea artwork. I am nonetheless excited for this intergalactic fairy story to hit theaters on Could twenty third although. Nevertheless, contemplating Lilo & Sew’s shot-for-shot correct nature, it is nonetheless going to really feel a bit bizarre to see Pleakley and Jumba wanting very completely different.