Disney’s Lilo & Stitch Shake-Up: Rachel Zegler’s Fury Over Scrapped Cross-Dresser Plot Ignites a Firestorm
Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025, was already generating buzz for its nostalgic charm and vibrant Hawaiian backdrop. But a shocking last-minute decision has thrust the project into chaos: the studio reportedly canceled a cross-dresser subplot tied to the beloved alien Pleakley, prompting a fiery reaction from Snow White star Rachel Zegler. The news, breaking just moments ago, has set social media ablaze, with Zegler’s outspoken response reigniting debates about representation, creative control, and Disney’s handling of its remake empire. As fans rally and critics pounce, this controversy threatens to overshadow a film poised to redeem Disney’s live-action slate after Snow White’s $115 million flop. What sparked this bold move, and why is Zegler so incensed? Let’s unravel the drama, exploring Disney’s decision, Zegler’s outburst, and the battle for Lilo & Stitch’s soul.
The Lilo & Stitch Remake: A High-Stakes Revival
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake aims to recapture the magic of the 2002 animated classic, a sci-fi comedy about a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who adopts Stitch, a mischievous alien posing as a dog. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the $150 million film stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Agudong as Nani, and Chris Sanders reprising his role as Stitch’s voice. With a cast including Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, the remake promises to honor the original’s themes of ohana (family) while updating its visuals with live-action flair and CGI polish. Trailers, released in March 2025, racked up millions of views, earning praise for Stitch’s fluffy design and nostalgic recreations of iconic scenes, like the “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” sequence.
Unlike Snow White, which tanked with an $87 million opening amid casting controversies and narrative overhauls, Lilo & Stitch has dodged major backlash—until now. Early buzz suggested a faithful adaptation, with tweaks to modernize the story, including expanded roles for characters like Pleakley, the one-eyed alien who dons women’s clothing as part of his Earth disguise. In the original, Pleakley’s cross-dressing was played for laughs, reflecting early 2000s humor that some now view as dated. Insiders hinted the remake would reframe this trait as a quirky, empowering nod to gender fluidity, aligning with Disney’s push for inclusive storytelling. So why did the studio pull the plug, and how did Zegler, a non-cast member, become the controversy’s loudest voice?
The Canceled Plot: Pleakley’s Cross-Dressing Cut
The scrapped subplot reportedly centered on Pleakley, voiced by Magnussen, whose love for Earth fashion—particularly women’s dresses—was to be a recurring gag with a modern twist. Sources claim early scripts had Pleakley exploring gender expression, not as a punchline but as a celebration of individuality, with Lilo embracing his quirks as part of ohana. The arc, developed with input from LGBTQ+ consultants, aimed to update the character for 2025 audiences while staying true to his eccentric charm. Test screenings in late 2024 allegedly tested two versions: one with the subplot intact, another with it minimized to fleeting costume gags, akin to the original.
Disney’s decision to cut the arc entirely came abruptly, reportedly driven by executive fears of backlash. After Snow White’s failure—partly blamed on its feminist reimagining and Zegler’s polarizing comments—Disney faced pressure to avoid “woke” lightning rods. The Lilo & Stitch subplot, though subtle, risked accusations of pandering from conservative fans, who’ve targeted similar moves in The Acolyte and The Little Mermaid. Insiders suggest CEO Bob Iger, stung by Snow White’s $115 million loss, pushed for a safer approach, prioritizing broad appeal over bold representation. The final cut, per leaks, reduces Pleakley’s cross-dressing to a single throwaway scene, stripping away deeper character beats.
This pivot wasn’t universal within Disney. Some creatives, including Camp, reportedly fought to keep the subplot, arguing it honored the original’s spirit while reflecting modern values. But with Lilo & Stitch projected to need $400 million to break even—less than Snow White’s $450 million but still steep—executives opted for caution, wary of alienating family audiences. The move echoes Disney’s earlier edits, like swapping a dryer for a pizza box in the original Lilo & Stitch to avoid safety concerns, showing a pattern of risk-averse tinkering.
Zegler’s Outburst: Why She’s Involved
Enter Rachel Zegler, whose connection to Lilo & Stitch is tangential but whose reaction has stolen headlines. The 23-year-old, fresh off Snow White’s box office disaster, reportedly erupted over Disney’s decision, blasting the studio for “caving to bigots” and “erasing representation.” Sources claim Zegler, who’s not in the Lilo & Stitch cast, caught wind of the cut through industry circles—possibly via mutual contacts like Galifianakis, who worked with her on Snow White. Her response, allegedly shared in a heated social media post or interview, called the move “cowardly” and “a betrayal of ohana’s inclusive spirit.” One unverified quote has her saying, “Disney’s throwing Pleakley under the bus to appease a loud minority—where’s the courage to tell real stories?” The outburst, whether verbatim or embellished, has trended #ZeglerVsDisney, reigniting her role as a lightning rod.
Zegler’s stake is personal and professional. After Snow White, where her comments on the 1937 film’s “dated” romance drew ire, she faced accusations of sinking the remake with her “woke” rhetoric. The Lilo & Stitch cut likely struck a nerve, echoing her own battles with fan backlash and studio constraints. Her pro-Palestine posts and feminist advocacy have made her a Gen Z icon to some, a PR headache to others, with Disney reportedly urging her to temper her social media during Snow White’s campaign. By speaking out, Zegler risks further alienating conservative fans but solidifies her brand as an unfiltered voice, especially after Snow White’s dwarf controversy and her rumored feud with co-star Gal Gadot.
Supporters applaud Zegler’s boldness, arguing she’s calling out Disney’s hypocrisy: touting diversity while shying away from meaningful representation. They see Pleakley’s arc as a missed chance to normalize gender fluidity in a family film, citing Luca’s subtle queer undertones as a success Disney could’ve emulated. Critics, however, call her hypocritical, noting Snow White’s CGI dwarfs alienated dwarf actors—a charge she sidestepped. Others question her involvement, accusing her of chasing relevance post-Snow White. “Why’s Rachel inserting herself into Lilo & Stitch?” one X post read, echoing a sentiment that she’s fueling drama for clout.
Disney’s Tightrope: Navigating Representation
Disney’s decision reflects a broader struggle. The studio’s live-action remakes—Aladdin ($1 billion), The Lion King ($1.6 billion)—have thrived by balancing nostalgia with updates, but recent misfires like Pinocchio ($220 million) and Mufasa ($450 million) show cracks. Lilo & Stitch’s casting, with Hawaiian actress Kealoha as Lilo, earned praise for authenticity, unlike Snow White’s backlash over Zegler’s Latina heritage. But Pleakley’s cut suggests Disney’s wary of pushing too far. The studio faced similar heat over The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey casting, yet it grossed $569 million, proving diverse stories can win—if executed well.
Cutting Pleakley’s arc may dodge one controversy but risks another. LGBTQ+ fans, already vocal about The Acolyte’s cancellation, see it as Disney backtracking on inclusion, especially after Lightyear’s same-sex kiss drew bans in some markets. The Lilo & Stitch trailer, with its focus on Stitch’s chaos and Lilo’s heart, avoids Pleakley’s role, suggesting Disney’s downplaying the character to sidestep debate. Yet Zegler’s outburst has thrust it front and center, forcing Disney to confront a narrative it hoped to bury.
The Cultural Clash: A Divided Fandom
Zegler’s reaction taps into a deeper divide. Lilo & Stitch’s original humor—Pleakley’s dresses, Stitch’s mayhem—reflected a less scrutinized era. Today, every choice is a battleground, from Captain America: Brave New World’s political subtext to Snow White’s dwarf redesign. Zegler’s defenders argue she’s fighting for a generation that sees representation as non-negotiable, pointing to Everything Everywhere All at Once’s $139 million success with bold inclusivity. Detractors, including some Star Wars fans rallying behind Lucas’ “anti-woke” show, call her a symbol of overreach, blaming her for Snow White’s collapse and now meddling in Lilo & Stitch.
Social media amplifies the noise. #SavePleakley trends alongside #ZeglerShutUp, with fans split between wanting authentic ohana and rejecting what they see as forced agendas. The controversy mirrors Mufasa’s backlash over CGI animals, showing audiences crave fidelity to source material—Pleakley’s dresses were quirky, not preachy, in 2002. Disney’s cut, meant to neutralize, has instead polarized, proving no choice is safe in 2025’s culture wars.
What’s Next for Disney, Zegler, and Lilo & Stitch?
Disney faces a delicate dance. Lilo & Stitch’s May release, over Memorial Day weekend, positions it for a strong opening—projections estimate $80–$100 million domestically, buoyed by Stitch’s merch empire (he’s Disney’s top seller). Restoring Pleakley’s arc is unlikely, given reshoots’ cost, but a director’s cut could surface on Disney+ if demand spikes. The studio’s silence on Zegler’s comments suggests damage control, with PR likely urging stars like Kealoha and Galifianakis to focus on ohana’s universal appeal.
Zegler, post-Snow White, has Evita and a Hunger Games sequel to anchor her, but her Lilo & Stitch outburst risks typecasting her as a provocateur. A measured follow-up—doubling down on inclusion without attacking Disney—could keep her fanbase while softening studio tensions. Her Snow White co-star Gadot stayed quiet during their feud; Zegler might benefit from similar restraint.
Lilo & Stitch’s fate hinges on execution. Trailers suggest a crowd-pleaser, with Stitch’s CGI earning raves over Snow White’s dwarfs. If it delivers, it could hit $600 million globally, dwarfing Captain America’s $412.8 million. A flop, though, might bury Disney’s remakes, with Moana (2026) as the last stand.
Conclusion: No Ohana Without Risk
Disney’s decision to cancel Lilo & Stitch’s cross-dresser plot was meant to dodge a bullet but sparked a war, with Rachel Zegler’s fiery response turning a quiet cut into a cultural flashpoint. Her outrage, rooted in representation’s stakes, clashes with Disney’s cautious pivot, exposing the tightrope studios walk in 2025. As Lilo & Stitch nears release, its promise of ohana—family, flaws and all—feels ironic amid this divide. Whether it soars or stumbles, one truth shines: in a galaxy of remakes, even the cuddliest alien can’t escape the storm.
