Maia Kealoha Reportedly Cast in Stolen Wishes
Deadline reports the Lilo & Stitch star joined Joe Nussbaum's live-action Disney film, which Disney has not confirmed.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Animation
Maia Kealoha, who made her feature debut as Lilo in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch, has reportedly joined the cast of Stolen Wishes, a live-action Disney movie written and directed by Joe Nussbaum. Disney has not confirmed her involvement and declined to comment.
Why it matters
The reported casting signals Kealoha's continued presence in Disney's live-action slate as the studio builds out projects around its Lilo & Stitch franchise. Stolen Wishes has no announced storyline, additional cast, or release date, leaving its place in the studio's schedule unclear.
Kealoha's feature debut came in the live-action Lilo & Stitch, which grossed $1.038 billion worldwide according to reported figures. Disney has not confirmed her role in Stolen Wishes, and no production or release details have been announced.
The players
Maia Kealoha
Hawaiian actress who made her feature-film debut as Lilo Pelekai in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch and is set to reprise the role in Lilo & Stitch 2.
Joe Nussbaum
Filmmaker who wrote and directed Stolen Wishes, the live-action Disney project Kealoha has reportedly joined.
Disney
The Walt Disney Company, the studio behind the Lilo & Stitch franchise and Stolen Wishes, which has not confirmed Kealoha's casting.
The details
Deadline reported that Kealoha joined the cast of Stolen Wishes, a project written and directed by Joe Nussbaum. Kealoha previously appeared alongside Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa in Prime Video's The Wrecking Crew, played Lani Hale in that series, and voiced Lilo in the short animated film Lilo & Scratch.
Timeline
2025: Live-action Lilo & Stitch released, marking Kealoha's feature-film debut.
November 10, 2026: Reported casting of Kealoha in Stolen Wishes published.
November 25, 2026: Lilo & Scratch scheduled for theatrical release.
May 26, 2028: Lilo & Stitch 2 scheduled for theatrical release, with Kealoha set to reprise Lilo.
Industry Dynamics
Kealoha's casting follows Disney's 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, which set the template for the studio's reimagining of its animated catalog with returning cast. Her subsequent roles in Prime Video's The Wrecking Crew and the Lilo & Scratch short show how a breakout performance can move an actor across Disney and non-Disney platforms.
For moviegoers, the immediate way to see Kealoha's work is in theaters, starting with Lilo & Scratch on November 25, 2026. Stolen Wishes has no announced release date, so audiences cannot yet plan to see it.
The takeaway
Kealoha's trajectory from a single live-action debut to projects across Disney, Prime Video, and animated shorts shows how a lead role can open doors well beyond one franchise. Readers tracking her next moves should watch for official Disney confirmation of Stolen Wishes.
What happens next
Lilo & Scratch is scheduled for theatrical release on November 25, 2026, and Lilo & Stitch 2 is scheduled for May 26, 2028, with Kealoha set to reprise her role in the sequel.
Further reading
For more on how studios are reviving animated properties in live action, see Animation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ComingSoon.
