Several significant changes between the animated movie from the 2000s and this year's live-action adaptation of Lilo and Stitch highlights the story's alternative direction. The cast and characters, specifically, impacted the story in such a manner. Gantu, for example, was entirely omitted from the plot. His role fell to the wayside, while Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) took on a more pronounced antagonist role. Jumba's animated counterpart possessed similar motivations, although he was less focused on Lilo (Maia Kealoha) in the lighthearted adventure.
Disney's Lilo and Stitch is missing a few other staples from the original, which notably impacted the story. Here are the ones we missed the most.
Kevin McDonald
While Agent Wendy Pleakley is present in the new film, he is portrayed by a different actor. Billy Magnusses plays the Plorgonarian member of the Galactic Federation instead of Kevin McDonald, who voiced Wendy Pleakley in the animated film, and on the television series of the same name. McDonald has not commented on his absence from the live-action adaptation, although the actor's shrinking schedule of current and upcoming projects points to him nearing retirement. That may or may not be the case, but it is a very distinct possibility.
Daveigh Chase
Audiences anticipated early on that the live-action movie would recast the role of Lilo since Daveigh Chase is far from the correct age to portray the Hawaiian girl. She originally voiced Lilo in the 2002 animated version, as well as the television series of the same name. Chase hasn't commented on the recent adaptation, although she probably doesn't have an issue with being recast. It's a live-action movie, and any reasonable person realizes the role will go to an age-appropriate actress.
Kevin Michael Richardson
The reason for Richardson's absence lies with the movie's director. Dean Fleischer Camp, who wanted to create a more grounded picture understood that a ten-foot-tall Gantu made such a vision extremely problematic. Alternatively, by placing Jumba (Gallafinakis) in a human disguise and making him a more prominent antagonist, it eliminated the need for Gantu altogether. Fans might not agree with Camp's decision, but his rationale is sound.
David Ogden Stiers
Stiers couldn't reprise his role as Jumba because he passed away in 2018. The veteran actor known for his role in M*A*S*H* died after complications due to his diagnosed bladder cancer. Zach Galifianakis has since taken over the part.
Ving Rhames
The one character that audiences are probably questioning is Cobra Bubbles. Actor Courtney B. Vance took on the part in the live-action version, but it's a surprising change considering the original Cobra Bubble actor could've returned for the part. Actor Ving Rhames is still quite active on the Hollywood scene, and recently appeared in Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning.
Ironically, Rhames' role in MI: Final Reckoning is part of the reason why he couldn't be in Lilo and Stitch. Scheduling conflicts made it impossible for Rhames to appear in both movies. Filming overlapped, so Rhames had to decide, and he chose the presumably final chapter in the Mission Impossible saga. Rhames' decision makes sense when a part in an MI movie is bound to be more profitable than one of Disney's live-action remakes.
Lilo and Stitch and Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning are both in theaters everywhere.