Disney Taps Original Creator Chris Sanders to Direct Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Sequel

Disney is turning to one of the franchise’s founding fathers to lead its next big adventure. Chris Sanders, who co-created the beloved 2002 animated film and has voiced Stitch for more than two decades, will direct the upcoming live-action sequel, Lilo & Stitch 2.

The move marks a major creative investment in a franchise that continues to thrive. Disney’s 2025 live-action remake became a global box-office phenomenon, earning more than $1 billion worldwide and strengthening the studio’s confidence in the property. Buoyed by that success, Disney quickly greenlit a sequel and set its sights on a theatrical release in 2028.

Sanders has shaped the franchise from the very beginning. He co-created, co-wrote and co-directed the original animated film alongside Dean DeBlois, and he has remained closely connected to the character ever since. Across sequels, television series and the recent live-action adaptation, Sanders has continued to bring Stitch to life as the character’s voice. His return should help preserve the emotional core that made the original film resonate with audiences around the world through its themes of family, friendship and belonging.

Disney first brought Sanders back to write the screenplay for Lilo & Stitch 2. Now, industry reports suggest that the studio has expanded his role and entrusted him with directing duties as well, giving him greater creative influence over the sequel’s development.

The first live-action film introduced a new generation of moviegoers to the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and a mischievous alien experiment who forge an unlikely family bond. Although Disney has not revealed plot details for the sequel, fans have already begun speculating that the studio could draw inspiration from the animated sequels and television series that expanded the franchise’s universe.

Disney plans to release Lilo & Stitch 2 on May 26, 2028, positioning the film as one of its marquee family titles. With Sanders guiding both the script and the production, excitement continues to grow among longtime fans eager to see Stitch return to the big screen once again.