Is Elvis Still Part of 2025 ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Movie? Plus, Why Was He Referenced To Begin With?
When Lilo & Stitch hit theaters back in 2002, it was easy to assume it was just another cutesy Disney flick. It had a sweet young girl, a blue alien with a mischievous streak and a gorgeous Hawaiian setting. However, nostalgic fans were pleased to see that Elvis Presley was a surprising but perfect part of Lilo & Stitch. Not only did the soundtrack include five of his original hits, “Stuck on You,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise,” and “Hound Dog,” but Lilo herself was a massive Elvis fan. She toted around a little record player, insisted he was a “model citizen” and used his songs to help tame the wild energy of Stitch. It offered grown-ups a welcome blast of nostalgia as they watched alongside their kids. Which begs the question, will Elvis be featured in the new live-action film too?
Walt Disney/Everett Collection
The answer is yes! The 2025 remake, scored again by Alan Silvestri, features many of the same classic songs from the original. Look out for “Devil in Disguise,” “Hound Dog,” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” along with a new cover of “Burning Love” produced by Bruno Mars and performed by his talented nephews, Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm. Plus, Stitch, in a fun publicity stunt, just made an appearance at Graceland to support the film while riding around in an alien-sized pink Cadillac.
Why was Elvis such a big part?
Have you ever wondered why Elvis is such a big part of the Disney film? The film’s co-director, Chris Sanders, once shared that Lilo’s Elvis obsession came from their desire to make her feel truly unique. She doesn’t listen to CDs, she plays vinyl. The idea was that maybe she’d found her mom’s old records and she started falling in love with his music. Fellow director Dean DeBlois added, according to Gold Radio, “From Lilo’s point of view, because she’s so young and she has a very romanticised perception of the world, Elvis, to her is a hero.”
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection
There was something fitting about that too. After all, Elvis had his own deep connection to Hawaii. He starred in three films set there including Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls! and Paradise, Hawaiian Style. He also performed the now-iconic 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert, which was the first satellite-broadcast performance by a solo artist. It’s no wonder the Presley estate was on board with his music being featured in the films. His ex-wife Priscilla Presley once said, “First of all the movie, really is all about family. I hope this will be a great message to bring family back together again because really, that’s what it’s all about. Elvis was very much a family man, regardless of what you hear; he loved family and he always came home.”
Remind 