The original voice of Experiment 626 is coming home to finish the job. Chris Sanders, the co-creator of the 2002 animated classic, has been tapped to direct the live-action sequel to last year’s massive box-office sensation, Lilo & Stitch.

It is a rare homecoming. Sanders not only co-directed the original film but provided the iconic, raspy voice for Stitch himself. Now, he is stepping into the director’s chair for the follow-up, a move that signals Disney’s intent to keep the creative soul of the franchise intact as it expands into a full-blown cinematic series.

The Billion-Dollar Pivot

Last year’s Lilo & Stitch remake was not supposed to be a theatrical juggernaut. Originally slated for a quiet debut on Disney+, the studio pivoted to a theatrical release in 2024. The gamble paid off in historic fashion. The film raked in $183 million over its opening Memorial Day weekend, setting a new record for the holiday. It eventually crossed the $1 billion mark, becoming the first film of the year to reach that milestone.

That success turned a modest streaming project into a crown jewel. Disney confirmed the sequel was in active development last June, choosing the date 6/26—a nod to Stitch’s government name—to announce the project. With Sanders now confirmed as the sole director, the studio is betting that the man who built the character can navigate the complexities of a high-stakes franchise sequel.

A Career Built on Animation

Sanders is no stranger to the pressures of big-budget filmmaking. His resume reads like a history of modern animation. He served as a story artist on The Lion King and Mulan before finding his footing as a director with How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods.

His recent work on DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot earned him an Academy Award nomination, proving his ability to blend emotional storytelling with technical spectacle. He is a veteran. He knows the rhythm of these stories better than anyone.

What Comes Next

Jonathan Eirich is returning to produce the sequel, maintaining continuity behind the scenes. While plot details remain under wraps, the industry is watching closely. Can a sequel capture the same lightning-in-a-bottle success as the first?

Disney has not yet set a release date. For now, the focus is on the script, which Sanders also penned. The studio needs this to work. They have a billion-dollar brand to protect.

Key Takeaways

  • Chris Sanders, the original co-creator and voice of Stitch, will direct the live-action sequel.
  • The first live-action remake became a $1 billion global hit after a surprise theatrical release.
  • Sanders is currently coming off an Oscar nomination for The Wild Robot, bringing significant prestige to the project.

Production timelines remain fluid. The studio has yet to announce a start date for filming. However, with the director and script in place, the project is moving forward. The pressure is on. The bar is set at a billion dollars.