Dean Fleischer Camp is moving from Marcel the Shell to Stitch the Alien. Deadline reports that the director of this summer’s acclaimed stop-motion feature Marcel the Shell with Shoes On will be directing the live-action/CG hybrid version of Disney’s popular 2002 animated feature Lilo & Stitch. The original pic was written and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, who subsequently went on to direct the first How to Train Your Dragon movie at DreamWorks. The feature grossed $273 million worldwide. The charming 2D feature follows the adventures of a young Hawaiian girl whose family adopts a feisty and very funny blue alien named Stitch.
The new take on the popular animated feature was originally supposed to be directed by Jon M. Chu, but the deal was not finalized. Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (Aloha Rodeo) is currently in negotiation to write the new adaptation. It’s unclear whether the project will debut on Disney+ or in theaters once it’s finished. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich are producing the new movie, with Ryan Halprin serving as exec producer.
Fleischer’s Camp’s current movie Marcel the Shell with the Shoes On has been one of the underdog hits of the summer. The A24 release has made $1.035 million at the specialty box office since it was released in limited theaters on June 24. It also scored a dazzling 99% rating on Rottentomatoes.com.
Lilo & Stitch also inspired the direct-to-video sequels Stitch: The Movie, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch and Leroy and Stitch, as well as an animated series Lilo & Stitch: The Series, which ran on Disney Channel and ABC Kids (2003-2006).
Source: Deadline.com
