HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES — The world was first introduced to “Lilo & Stitch” through the animated movie released in 2002. Now, more than two decades later, Disney is set to launch a remake by merging live-action with animation.

The new live-action film premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday — the same place where the animated movie premiered in 2002.

On The Red Carpet caught up with the stars on the blue carpet.

The beloved Disney characters Lilo and Stitch are back for a new generation with the live-action remake.

This adaptation highlights Maia Kealoha as Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl in search of companionship. She discovers this in an alien fugitive, disguised as a dog, who she happily names Stitch.

“I’m so happy to be here. It’s my first premiere, so I am so excited,” Maia said.

Chris Sanders, who voiced the role of Stitch in the original version, is back to do it again.

“Stitch simply is an extension of me. He’s chaotic neutral. He causes as much trouble as he fixes, so yeah, he acts like I do,” Sanders said.

There has been plenty of anticipation from fans to see the new “Lilo & Stitch,” and that brings smiles to a lot of the faces involved with the film.

“It’s the reason we all do it. It’s the joy and magic in the room, seeing all of your hard work on a screen with an audience laughing and crying is the best feeling in the world,” said director Dean Fleischer Camp.

The new “Lilo & Stitch” opens in theaters Friday for the long Memorial Day weekend.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Walt Disney Studios and this ABC station.

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