Disney's live-action Captain Gantu wouldn't be in Lilo & Stitch.

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 & Stitch, which has proven to be a controversial decision. Despite the backlash regarding Jumba's character, reviews for Lilo & Stitch have been quite solid, with Screen Rant's own Mary Kassel giving it a 7 out of 10. Based on its reception and box office, a sequel to Lilo & Stitch will likely be made, and could actually end up fixing the problems with Jumba.

Lilo & Stitch's Remake Changed Jumba For The Worse

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

Just like in the original animated film, Jumba is a mad scientist who creates Stitch 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 Stitch in Hawaii.

The fact that Jumba doesn't find redemption at the end of Lilo & Stitch is by far the worst change made to the character.

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 & Stitch's team to save money on CGI. However, the fact that Jumba doesn't find redemption at the end of Lilo & Stitch is by far the worst change made to the character. Instead of siding with Stitch and remaining in Hawaii, Jumba replaces Captain Gantu as the main villain of the live-action movie.

Lilo & Stitch Subtly Teased There Could Be Another Jumba

A Sequel To Lilo & Stitch Could Fix This Jumba Problem

The fact that Jumba doesn't it his mistakes at the end of Lilo & Stitch majorly affects the themes of the story, and could also impact future sequels. Since Jumba doesn't help Lilo, Stitch, and the other characters at the end of the film, there's a chance he may not return in a potential sequel to Lilo & Stitch. Instead of becoming a member of the family, Jumba may now never be able to earn the trust of Lilo, Stitch, 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 associated with Jumba's character. While hunting for Stitch 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 & Stitch's Sequel Fixing Jumba Like This Would Be A Major Retcon

The Live-Action Lilo & Stitch's Handling Of Jumba Is So Baffling

There's a chance that introducing one of Jumba's family as a more faithful version of the character will appease fans and critics who have taken issue with this major live-action Lilo & Stitch 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 & Stitch movie.