Advertisement
The first trailer for Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch just dropped, and let’s just say—opinions are all over the place. On one hand, young actress Maia Kealoha as Lilo has completely won hearts, and fans are loving how vibrant and chaotic Stitch looks. The Hawaiian setting is gorgeous, and the core themes of family and belonging are intact. But amid the excitement, some fans have noticed a rather big omission—literally.
Wait… where’s Captain Gantu?
If you’ve watched the original 2002 animated movie, you know Captain Gantu is a pretty big deal. He’s the massive, deep-voiced alien officer who’s obsessed with capturing Stitch. He’s not just a villain; he’s a key part of the movie’s climax. If he hadn’t kidnapped Lilo, we wouldn’t have had that nail-biting chase scene that made us all emotional.
Yet, despite the trailer showcasing Lilo, Nani, Cobra Bubbles, Jumba, Pleakley, and, of course, Stitch causing chaos—Gantu is nowhere to be seen. This hasn’t gone unnoticed, with fans taking to social media to ask: Did Disney cut out Gantu?!
Is Captain Gantu still in the movie?
Thankfully, there’s no need to panic. According to reports from DisInsider, Gantu is in the film. While Disney hasn’t officially confirmed who’s voicing him, multiple sources suggest that Kevin Michael Richardson will be reprising his role. If that name rings a bell, it’s because he was the original voice of Gantu in the 2002 movie, as well as in its sequels and TV series. His deep, commanding voice made Gantu one of the most memorable Disney villains of the early 2000s.
Why wasn’t Gantu in the trailer?
That’s still a mystery. Some fans speculate that Disney is keeping his reveal under wraps for a future trailer. Others think his CGI design might not be fully polished yet—after all, he’s a towering alien who looks like a humanoid shark, which could be tricky to pull off in live-action. There’s also the possibility that his role in the story has been slightly tweaked.
For now, all we can do is wait and see. Lilo & Stitch is set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025, so Disney still has plenty of time to showcase Gantu. Until then, fans will be keeping their eyes peeled for any updates—and hoping that this live-action adaptation does justice to the beloved classic.