Disney’s live-action Lilo & Sтιтch remake makes a lot of changes to Jumba that have been heavily criticized by fans and critics, but one easy-to-miss line in the movie suggests a potential way to fix this. Since the original animated Lilo & Sтιтch movie, which was released in 2002, includes so many beloved characters, there were concerns that negative changes would be made in the live-action remake. It became extra clear that major changes would be made when it was revealed that Captain Gantu wouldn’t be in Lilo & Sтιтch.

Since Captain Gantu emerged as the main villain in the animated film, his exclusion from the live-action version is shocking. Because of this, Jumba actually acts as the main villain in the live-action Lilo & Sтιтch, which has proven to be a controversial decision. Despite the backlash regarding Jumba’s character, reviews for Lilo & Sтιтch have been quite solid, with Screen Rant’s own Mary Kᴀssel giving it a 7 out of 10. Based on its reception and box office, a sequel to Lilo & Sтιтch will likely be made, and could actually end up fixing the problems with Jumba.

Lilo & Sтιтch’s Remake Changed Jumba For The Worse

Jumba Is The Main Villain In The Live-Action Lilo & Sтιтch Movie

Just like in the original animated film, Jumba is a mad scientist who creates Sтιтch in the remake. Therefore, how he is introduced in the story largely remains the same, but fans of the animated film will notice a major difference with Jumba right away. In the animated movie, Jumba has a thick Russian accent and a unique way of speaking. However, in the live-action remake, Jumba just sounds like Zach Galifianakis. Additionally, Jumba looks like Galifianakis most of the time when he and Pleakley are searching for Sтιтch in Hawaii.

Jumba and Pleakley’s new appearance in the live-action film is a result of them being able to transform into humans, rather than just trying to dress like them. Instead of being a creative story decision, this just comes across as a way for Lilo & Sтιтch’s team to save money on CGI. However, the fact that Jumba doesn’t find redemption at the end of Lilo & Sтιтch is by far the worst change made to the character. Instead of siding with Sтιтch and remaining in Hawaii, Jumba replaces Captain Gantu as the main villain of the live-action movie.

Lilo & Sтιтch Subtly Teased There Could Be Another Jumba

A Sequel To Lilo & Sтιтch Could Fix This Jumba Problem

The fact that Jumba doesn’t admit his mistakes at the end of Lilo & Sтιтch majorly affects the themes of the story, and could also impact future sequels. Since Jumba doesn’t help Lilo, Sтιтch, and the other characters at the end of the film, there’s a chance he may not return in a potential sequel to Lilo & Sтιтch. Instead of becoming a member of the family, Jumba may now never be able to earn the trust of Lilo, Sтιтch, and the other characters, which is disappointing for fans of the animated film.

However, there’s a chance that a sequel will fix the major problems ᴀssociated with Jumba’s character. While hunting for Sтιтch in the live-action film, Pleakley learns that his new acquaintance’s full name is Jumba Jookiba. Pleakley is about to ask Jumba whether he knows someone who seemingly has the same last name, but the dialogue trails off. Therefore, this teases that a sequel could potentially introduce another Jookiba who will be more accurate to the Jumba in the animated movie. This character could potentially be Jumba’s brother, cousin, etc.

Lilo & Sтιтch’s Sequel Fixing Jumba Like This Would Be A Major Retcon

The Live-Action Lilo & Sтιтch’s Handling Of Jumba Is So Baffling

There’s a chance that introducing one of Jumba’s family members as a more faithful version of the character will appease fans and critics who have taken issue with this major live-action Lilo & Sтιтch change. However, this doesn’t change the fact that this would be an unnecessary retcon. Ideally, the live-action movie would have portrayed Jumba right from the beginning. Therefore, even if this line of dialogue leads to a fix, I would’ve preferred just seeing a more faithful version of Jumba in the first live-action Lilo & Sтιтch movie.