Disney’s plans to film a live-action “Lilo & Stitch” still lacks a juvenile island girl to play the titular female role.
While auditions already have been held, the studio still wants to conduct a last-minute search to attract an unknown youngster who may be unaware of the ongoing hunt.
If cast, the minor lass likely will become a marquee personality, just as Auli‘I Cravalho — the voice of Disney’s animated “Moana” movie – who became a breakout star.
Cravalho now may be a tad too old to portray the live-action Lilo, but it’s likely she’ll land the role of Lilo’s older sister Nani.
The film, when completed, is expected to stream via Disney+, bypassing a theatrical release, but is anticipated to be a genuine hit for the Disney family audience. As a cartoon, “Lilo & Stitch” had life as a television series and eventually a full-length animated cartoon feature. Both characters also have enjoyed a high presence as roving cartoon figures at Disneyland and Disney World, to appease the selfie crowds.
Dean Fleischer Camp (“Marcell the Shell With Shoes On”) will direct. And there’s a local among the writing team, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (yes, a next-generation family of the Ronald Bright ‘ohana), who has collaborated with Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders and Mike Van Waes. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich are producing.
One role is cast: Zach Galifianakis (“The Hangover”) will portray Pleakley, the Plorgonarian from the planet Plorgonar, and an expert onthe Planet Earth. No mention if a Stitch actor has been found.
Disney, of course, is noted for reinventing much of its franchise hits, old or new. And live-action films from the warehouse of animated franchises have had more successes, including “Cinderella,” “Beauty & the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Mulan,” and “The Jungle Book” than failures like “Pinocchio” and “Dumbo.”
Casting director Rachel Whitley Sutton is seeking a precocious Native Hawaiian girl aged 6 to 8 (she could have Maori or Samoan, or any other Polynesian descent) to enact Lilo, a girl who loves hula, surfing and wildlife with a special affinity for things gross.
Details: baddog.casting@disneympp.com …
Remembering Milan
“The Man Behind the Music,” a benefit for Milan Bertosa legendary recording engineer, will be held from 2:30 to p.m. Sunday (March 12) at Hawaiian Brian’s, aka HB Social Club, at 1680 Kapiolani Blvd.
An all-star cluster of his pals and peers, will assemble to celebrate his life. Bertosa died unexpectedly last Jan. 1 at age 61. A popular and respected studio engineer who worked with a host of local acts, Bertosa was best known as the dude on duty, in the wee hours, when Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole famously stopped by the studio Bertosa was manning, and started humming and singing “Somewhere, Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” in what would become Hawaii’s No.1 best-seller and often-tapped voice in a host of films and hundreds of commercials.
Henry Kapono, Amy Hanaiali ‘i, Makena (Ho‘okena plus Moon Kauakahi of the Makana Sons, hence the name), Del Beazley and Mailani Mak‘ina‘i are among the headlining acts. Other participants include the Dean Taba Jazz Ensemble, Manoa DNA, Kapala, Shawn Ishimoto, Angela Morales, Mike Piranha, Choco, Third Degree, Aleternative Fax and Doug Fitch.
Mele Apana and Lina Girl will host. Food and beverages will be available for purchase; a silent auction and raffle will also be featured.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
