Lilo and Stitch Casts Cobra Bubbles
A Deadline exclusive reveals that Disney’s live-action Lilo and Stitch remake has cast Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles. The social worker, who is anything but bubbly, was voiced by Ving Rhames in the original movie and is a fan-favorite character. When Jolene Purdy was cast as a new social worker character, Mrs. Kekoa, the other day, the internet was set ablaze with anger from fans.
I still don’t have much hope for this movie. We all know it’s just Disney’s greed on display, and Lilo and Stitch’s story and cast would be particularly problematic to translate to live-action. Not all of these things are meant for the live-action medium, and that’s why they weren’t made that way. Anyway, though, I am glad they’re including Cobra in the movie. He’s one of my favorite characters in the film, helping to ground a story filled with otherworldly elements. As the social worker tasked with watching over Lilo, he poses a threat to Nani’s guardianship over her sister. But what interests me is that he isn’t a bad guy and doesn’t want to split up this family. He wants to help, but he has to do his job, and Nani struggles to meet his demands. Much like with the Moana movie they recently announced, I wish Disney would make a different movie set in Hawaii rather than remaking a cult classic. But that would require creativity and actual work. For what it’s worth, Vance is a good actor, and I think he’ll be good in the role, at least as much as he can be in a Disney remake.
