Disney's live-action adaptation of their beloved 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch is due to crash-land into theaters this week. Portraying two of the fan-favorite characters from the animated original are Zach Galifianakis as Jumba and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, both bringing their comedic chops to the film while voicing the CGI versions of the aliens and bringing a new dimension to the characters by portraying them in human disguise. Joining Galifianakis and Magnussen in the cast for the film are Maia Kealoha as Lilo in her on-screen debut, Sydney Agudong as Nani, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, and Chris Sanders voicing Stitch.
While Galifianakis has an iconic career in live-action film and television, with roles in projects like The Hangover, Due Date, and Baskets, he is also just as much an icon by lending his voice to animated projects like The Lego Batman Movie, Bob's Burgers, and Big Mouth, making him an ideal actor for the dual live-action and voice-acting role of Jumba.
Ahead of the film's release, Collider's Perri Nemiroff interviewed Galifianakis about his role in Lilo & Stitch, and how it changed from him initially being offered Pleakley to ultimately jumping in as Jumba, and finding the perfect partner in intergalactic crime in Magnussen. Galifianakis also discusses the limitations of translating the animated film into the live-action format, including what the WGA strike prevented the comedic actor from doing that he normally would in a role like this.
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