Lilo & Sтιтch‘s live-action remake made a major change to a memorable character, and the director has now provided an explanation. Disney’s latest and possibly best remake brings back the heart and humor of the 2002 animated classic while updating several elements for a more realistic tone. One of the biggest changes is Cobra Bubbles. Originally an ex-CIA agent turned social worker, Bubbles is split into two live-action roles: a CIA agent (Courtney B. Vance) and a new social worker called Mrs. Kekoa, portrayed by the original Nani voice actor, Tia Carrere.

In a recent interview with USA Today, director Dean Fleischer Camp explained that Cobra Bubbles’ changes were rooted in the realism required for the live-action format. According to Camp, it was easy for audiences to believe that a towering man with a “Cobra” tattooed on his knuckles was a social worker in the animated movie​​​​​. However, that kind of exaggerated character design doesn’t translate convincingly to live-action. Additionally, the dynamic between Nani (Sydney Agudong) and Carrere’s Mrs. Kekoa brings extra depth. Read his full comment below:

In order to buy these two girls getting separated in a live-action movie, you couldn’t really have the representative of that antagonistic force be a comically huge guy with tattoos on his knuckles, who for some reason is also a social worker. […] This grown-up Nani, with all her wisdom, is now advising a younger version of herself. It’s beautiful.

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Fleischer Camp continues his explanation for Cobra Bubbles’ character change. He says that this creative decision helps the story feel more emotionally credible while still honoring the spirit of the original, especially in scenes regarding Lilo’s potential separation from her sister. This is what the director said:

If the dramatic stakes of Lilo is that she’s going to get separated from her sister, then you need a person who actually services those stakes in a credible way. You can get away with that being Cobra Bubbles in an animated film — a 6-foot-5 huge dude with ‘Cobra’ tattooed on his knuckles is somehow a social worker in that world.

I don’t think you get away with it the same way in a live-action film. That was guiding a lot of our decision making — how to land the plane in terms of the emotional realities that were going on in the film.

What This Means For Lilo & Sтιтch

Cobra Bubbles Was Split Into Two Characters For A Reason

Changing Cobra Bubbles’ role was not just a cosmetic update for the live-action version; it also reshaped the emotional center of the film. At its heart, Lilo & Sтιтch is about two sisters trying to hold their family together under impossible circumstances. The threat of them being separated by social services is a deeply serious theme in both films and to make that storyline resonate realistically, the antagonistic force needs to feel real. By splitting Cobra’s role into a social worker and a CIA agent, the filmmakers emphasized Nani’s struggle in a more grounded way for today’s audience.

This change also allowed for this new version of Lilo & Sтιтch to balance its tones better. The sci-fi chaos of Sтιтch (Chris Sanders) and the alien forces wanting to capture him naturally pushes the story towards wackiness, but the human storyline keeps the stakes grounded. Having a “realistic” social worker helps the film maintain a sense of danger outside of Sтιтch, and highlights Nani’s desperate attempts to stay with Lilo (Maia Kealoha) in a world she’s barely keeping up with. By making this arc more relatable, the remake strengthens the sisters’ bond while still embracing the magic of the animated original.

Our Take On Cobra Bubbles’ Change

A Smart Take That Honors The Original While Updating The Tone

Live-action adaptations walk a fine line between nostalgia and creativity, and Lilo & Sтιтch ​​​​​​seems to get it right. Although Cobra Bubbles remains an iconic character from the original, his design could’ve felt exaggerated to some audience members. By splitting his role and giving one part to an original cast member, the filmmakers found a way to respect and honor the original film while modernizing it for a new audience.

This decision also demonstrates the creative team’s understanding of the medium. What works in animation may not always work when translated to live-action, and recognizing this is key to a strong adaptation. Instead of forcing elements to fit, the film reshapes them to better suit this story. Cobra Bubbles may look different in 2025’s Lilo & Sтιтch, but the impact of his role is clearly still felt.

Source: USA Today / EW