Lilo & Stitch Director Addresses Pleakley Dress Criticism Ahead of May 23 Release

Dean Fleischer Camp, director of the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, has addressed fan criticism regarding changes to the character Agent Pleakley, who in the original 2002 animated film famously wore a dress and wig as a disguise. Fans expressed disappointment that Pleakley, played by Billy Magnussen in the remake, no longer wears a dress, instead appearing in a plain blue shirt. Fleischer Camp explained in a TikTok video and interviews that the creative team explored rendering Pleakley in human clothes with CGI, but the concept felt unrealistic and strained the film's humor in a live-action context. He shared original concept art showing Pleakley in a dress, emphasizing that he tried to maintain the character's iconic look but ultimately adjusted it for the live-action format. The remake, starring Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Zach Galifianakis as Jumba Jookiba, is set to release on May 23 and aims to balance respect for the original with practical design choices. Despite some fan concerns, the trailer has generated significant interest, becoming one of Disney's most viewed trailers, reflecting anticipation for this new adaptation.