Disney is receiving some criticism after its latest casting for the live remake of Lilo & Stitch.
Actress Sydney Agudong has been cast as Nani Pelekai, Lilo’s older sister and caregiver in the hit 2002 film.
But fans of the beloved animated film are questioning the company’s choice to cast Agudong for the role based on her ethnicity and skin complexion.
Lilo and her family are Pacific Islanders of Hawaiian descent.
Pacific Islanders are categorized vastly as people from the three Oceania subregions, and from countries such as Fiji and Samoa. members of its diaspora are also found in Auckland, Austronesian and islands from the Pacific Ocean.
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As a result people from Hawaii also display an array of physical characteristics, such as various skin tones and hues.
Yet Hollywood’s representation of Pacific Islanders in the Lilo & Stitch remake fails to inclusively reflect this reality.
Lilo and Nani are of a darker skin complexion in the original series, and those against the casting of Agudong believe it to be another example of mainstream media’s disregard of accuracy and colourism.
The actress has not confirmed her ethnicity, although she’s believed to be a Pacific Islander or native to the island of Kauai in Hawaii (according to her IMDB biography).
However, she has a noticeably lighter skin complexion than Nani.
One Twitter user says a dark-skinned actress should be given the opportunity to play Nani.
Another Tweet reads that an important part of the characters’ storylines are enhanced by the lived reality of those with darker complexions.
Some are even sarcastically tweeting fake news reports about other actors being cast for the part.
Other verified actors cast in the upcoming Lilo & Stitch live-action remake directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, include Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Zach Galifianakis as Agent Wendy Pleakley and Kahiau Machado as David Kawena.
The film is set to release on Disney+ in May 2024.
