Chris Sanders is set to direct Lilo & Stitch 2, bringing one of the franchise's original creative architects back to guide Disney's live-action sequel.

Few modern Disney properties have maintained the enduring popularity of Lilo & Stitch, with the franchise continuing to attract audiences across multiple generations. The character's blend of chaos, humor, and heart has helped make Stitch one of the studio's most recognizable creations.

That is why Sanders' latest involvement feels especially significant, giving the next chapter a direct connection to one of the people most responsible for shaping the franchise in the first place.

Chris Sanders will direct Disney's upcoming live-action sequel after already serving as a screenwriter on the project, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The filmmaker co-created, co-wrote, and co-directed the original animated Lilo & Stitch and has remained closely associated with the franchise ever since.

Beyond helping develop the story, Sanders also became the iconic voice of Stitch, a role he has continued to perform in both animated and live-action projects. His return as director gives the sequel a strong creative link to the film that first introduced audiences to Stitch in 2002 and launched one of Disney's most beloved modern franchises.

The sequel is expected to begin production later this year, as The Hollywood Reporter shared, with Jonathan Eirich returning as producer. Unlike the franchise's previous follow-up films, the new installment will reportedly tell an original story.

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That connection is especially meaningful because Sanders' influence extends well beyond a single Disney property.

Before creating Lilo & Stitch, Chris Sanders worked on Disney classics, including The Lion King and Mulan. He later teamed with Dean DeBlois on How to Train Your Dragon and went on to direct acclaimed animated features such as The Croods and The Wild Robot.

  His return to the franchise comes after Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch remake surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, becoming one of the studio's biggest recent hits. With production on the sequel preparing to ramp up, Disney is not only bringing back Stitch's longtime voice but also one of the creators who helped define the character from the very beginning.

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Do you think Chris Sanders' return gives Disney's Lilo & Stitch sequel a better chance of capturing the magic of the original film? Let us know in the comments.