Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of the beloved animated classic Lilo & Stitch has been met with criticism and controversy after the studio revealed the cast for the film. Many fans and critics are calling out Disney for its lack of diversity and cultural sensitivity in the casting choices, reigniting a larger conversation about representation in Hollywood. With the film set to be released in the near future, Disney faces mounting pressure to address the backlash and make meaningful changes.
Disney has recently come under fire after announcing Sydney Agudong, a 22-year-old actress with Hawaiian ancestry, as the cast member for the upcoming live-action movie adaptation of Lilo & Stitch. Agudong has been cast as Nani, Lilo’s older sister, but some fans are criticizing the casting decision, claiming that it is “blatant colorism.” Fans were particularly disappointed because they believe the actress does not reflect how Nani looked in the original animation. According to them, Nani had darker skin, black hair, and ethnic features, all of which the actress allegedly does not possess.
One Twitter user vented their frustrations by posting, “Not being Indigenous or from a PoC community, it may not be easy to see a problem with this casting, but within our communities, this is a big issue. Nani is Indigenous Hawaiian with strong features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colorism.” Another fan of the original animation expressed disappointment that Nani would not reflect her in the upcoming adaptation saying, “Listen, she’s probably a lovely woman, but I can’t help but feel disappointed. I wanted Nani to look like me.”
The outrage over the casting decision is not new. Back in 2019, Disney was already facing backlash over casting Naomi Scott – a biracial British actor of Indian ancestry – as Princess Jasmine in the ‘Aladdin’ live-action adaptation. The decision was criticized for whitewashing and accused of perpetuating Hollywood’s long-standing history of casting white actors in non-white roles. In this case, fans were angry that they were not represented in Disney’s new casting decision for one of their favorite animated movies.
Moreover, the live-action adaptation is also coming at a time when discussions about colorism and representation have been heightened more than ever before. Recently, the entertainment industry has been making strides in being more inclusive, but instances like this recur every now and then, as fans contend that these are missed opportunities in achieving true diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. The decision to cast Agudong as Nani has been criticized by some as a deliberate move to prioritize a lighter-skinned actress over one that perfectly fits the original character’s description.
Disney, however, has not released a statement regarding the recent criticism. As fans eagerly await what Disney will say, many have taken to social media to express their opinions about the controversial casting. Some have even started petitions, calling on Disney to recast the character with someone who better represents the original character.
The controversy highlights the increasing pressure that the entertainment industry is facing over issues of representation and colorism. As productions strive to create more diverse films and TV shows, they must also be mindful of accurately representing the original works, and not just cast actors purely because of their skin color. This controversy also highlights the importance of representation- viewers want to see themselves accurately reflected on screen, and it is the responsibility of the entertainment industry to ensure that this occurs.
In the end, whether or not Disney addresses the backlash or recasts the character, the situation highlights the need for the entertainment industry to be more thoughtful with their casting decisions. Without careful consideration, productions can undercut their own message of representation and inclusion, ultimately disadvantaging audiences and damaging the industry itself.
In light of the recent backlash towards Disney for their casting choices in the Lilo & Stitch remake, it’s clear that diversity and representation are still ongoing issues within the entertainment industry. As fans and consumers, we have a responsibility to hold companies accountable and demand better. It’s time for Hollywood to start valuing and prioritising the voices of underrepresented communities, and for Disney to truly embrace the cultural significance and diversity of its beloved franchises. Let’s hope that this serves as a wake-up call for the industry to do better and make meaningful changes that reflect the world we live in today.
