Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Sтιтch cut the popular character of Gantu out of the movie, which had enormous ramifications on the story. Despite a strong Lilo & Sтιтch cast including most of the same faces as the animated film, this was among several significant changes that were made in the new iteration.

There has already been much conversation and controversy around how Lilo & Sтιтch changed the ending of the animated film. Changes like this, which contradicted several of the important themes of the original about the functionality of found family, were a problem for many audiences who had grown up with the original animated feature.

Still, even controversies have not stopped Lilo & Sтιтch from being a streaming hit on Disney+ after its legendary box office run. From this success, it became clear that a Lilo & Sтιтch sequel is a necessity, and the project is now a priority at the studio. However, the absence of Gantu could complicate things.

Gantu’s Original Role In The Animated Lilo & Sтιтch Explained

Gantu is the primary villain in the original animated Lilo & Sтιтch. A member of the Galactic Federation, Gantu is a terrifying captain with a design reminiscent of a shark, who attempts to track down and destroy Sтιтch. He was cut from the live-action remake of Lilo & Sтιтch to make more room to explore the film’s themes.

Gantu is angry and violent, but he is also a strong second-in-command to the Grand Councilwoman in the Galactic Federation. His brutish efforts, however, serve as his downfall. Possessing a bitter hatred for Sтιтch, Gantu is sent to retrieve Experiment 626 after Jumba and Pleakley fail to do so in their first two days.

His methods are suspect. Gantu, in the ending of the animated Lilo & Sтιтch, puts many lives at risk as he attempts to recapture Sтιтch. He captures both Sтιтch and Lilo, and nearly kills them both. For his recklessness, he is removed from his role in the Galactic Federation.

Lilo & Sтιтch’s Remake Is Totally Different Without Gantu

Removing Gantu from Lilo & Sтιтch was a bold choice, and it changed the resulting movie significantly. Without a bitter antagonist who wishes to capture Sтιтch for the sake of order, the movie had to rework its plot to introduce a different villain. Rather than creating a new character, Jumba’s plan and moral outlook were changed.

Even though Dr. Jumba Jookiba is a mad scientist in the original film and is described by himself as an evil genius, he is not a bad guy. He creates Experiment 626 as a force of pure chaos, but much of this is about his own scientific curiosity rather than a wish to inflict violence upon the universe.

After removing Gantu from the story, Jumba’s motivations in the live-action film were adjusted to take his place. Rather than saving or preserving Sтιтch, the live-action Jumba plans to capture him to do more experimentation in order to make Sтιтch even more chaotic and destructive.

This changes how the ending of the film plays out significantly, as Gantu’s climactic chase had to be reworked. It also sets up for a very different future for many of these characters, as Jumba continued to play a role in the further adventures of Sтιтch, which is not likely to occur in the same way now.

Will Lilo & Sтιтch 2 Restore Gantu’s Role?

Notably, Gantu’s role in the larger Sтιтch universe is an important one. The character featured in Sтιтch! The Movie as well as in Lilo & Sтιтch: The Series, where he was one of the primary villains. He also appeared in Leroy & Sтιтch, where he was finally able to redeem himself.

In the larger Lilo & Sтιтch universe, Gantu is an important character. With this in mind, Gantu must be brought in for the live-action sequel to Lilo & Sтιтch. Gantu is a very different kind of villain, and his anger and fury, but also his goofy, softer side, could help to make another sequel feel fresh.

Where Jumba, played by Zach Galafinakis, embodied a mad scientist archetype, Gantu could be a more brutal and physical villain. While the captain has a softer side, his connections to the Federation, his imposing design, and his more terrifying methods could help the sequel to Lilo & Sтιтch feel distinct from the first film.

While Lilo & Sтιтch 2 should draw elements from the existing animated films and shows, it should not be a direct adaptation of any of them. Instead, the film could see a rivalry form between Gantu, in place as an agent of the Galactic Federation, and Sтιтch, whom he wishes to destroy.

Gantu is a great character, and it’s disappointing that he did not appear in the live-action remake of Lilo & Sтιтch. The character’s strong design, booming voice, and villainous motivations are sorely missed in the film. Hopefully, the filmmakers decide to integrate him in the next story, where there are many effective ways in which he could be used.