Billy Magnussen is set to star in another Disney live-action film adaptation of one of its signature animated movies, reports Deadline.
The “As The World Turns” alum will appear alongside Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance and newcomer Maia Kealoha in the Disney+ film, “Lilo & Stitch.”
Released in 2002, the original “Lilo & Stitch” animated movie followed a Hawaiian girl named Lilo who still grieves her parents’ loss after they died in a car accident. Now raised by her older sister Nani, Lilo is allowed to adopt a dog to keep her socially engaged. When Lilo goes to an animal shelter to see which animal she will take home, she encounters an “ugly” dog she later renames Stitch. At the time of adoption, Lilo didn’t know that Stitch was an alien from outer space, known throughout the Galactic Federation as experiment 626, created by Dr. Jumba Jookiba, who was arrested for illegal genetic experimentation. Now on Earth, Stitch fights to escape re-capture from Captain Gantu, hired by the Grand Councilwoman from the Federation after Jumba and Agent Wendy Pleakley fail their mission.
While Magnussen and Galifianakis’ roles have yet to be revealed, Vance is reportedly set to play Cobra Bubbles, a social worker tasked with keeping track of Lilo’s care. Kealoha will play Lilo.
In 2019, Magnussen portrayed Prince Anders in the live-action film adaptation of Disney’s “Aladdin” which starred Will Smith as the iconic Genie and then newcomer Mena Massoud taking on the titular role of the thief who goes on to win the heart and minds of both Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and the people of Agrabah. The film grossed nearly $1.1 billion at the global box office.