Dean Fleischer Camp, director of the critically acclaimed independent film Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, is stepping into Disney.
The director will take over the directorial duties of a live-action adaptation of Walt Disney Feature Animation’s 2002 animated picture Lilo & Stitch. The deal for Chris Kekaniokalani Bright to write the script is very close to being finalized.
With this move, the project, which is going to be a tentpole feature for Disney+, is getting its foot back in the door. Back in 2018, up-and-comer Mike Van Waes was tapped to write the script for Stitch, which was then put into production for the first time. Producing is being handled by Rideback’s Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich.
The story is set in Hawaii delving into the relationship between a lonely human girl called Lilo and a dog-like extraterrestrial named Stitch, who is created to be a destructive force. The search for extraterrestrial life, as well as the work of social workers and the importance of familial ties, all factor prominently into the plot.
While not a major box office success by today’s standards, the well-received film was a bright light at a difficult time for Disney’s animation history, spawning multiple direct-to-video sequels and television shows.
