‘Lilo & Stitch’s Maia Kealoha To Star In Joe Nussbaum’s ‘Stolen Wishes’ For Disney Live Action

EXCLUSIVE: After leading Disney‘s critically acclaimed live-action take on its modern animated classic Lilo & Stitch, which grossed over $1B worldwide last year, and staying on for its sequel, Maia Kealoha has found another new project with the studio, sources tell Deadline.

We understand that she’s set to lead Stolen Wishes, a new film to be written and directed for Disney Live Action by Joe Nussbaum (Just Add Magic).

Reps for Disney declined to comment. No word on yet on other attachments to the project or what exactly it’s about.

Kealoha made her feature-film debut as Lilo Pelekai in Dean Fleischer Camp’s Lilo & Stitch, which marked a major breakout for the young Hawaiian actress. Next up, she’s set to reprise her role in Lilo & Stitch 2, slated to hit theaters on May 26, 2028. Chris Sanders, a nearly four-decade veteran of Disney who co-wrote and co-directed the 2002 animated film, is at the helm this time. Also seen starring opposite Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa in Prime Video’s buddy action comedy The Wrecking Crew, Kealoha is represented by Artists First, CESD and Goodman Genow Schenkman.

Nussbaum is the Emmy-nominated executive producer and director of Amazon’s original series, Just Add Magic. A leading voice in kids entertainment, he’s also exec produced and directed two series and a movie for Disney Channel. Nussbaum has directed dozens of episodes of television, all told, starting with an extended run on the award-winning series Awkward. He launched his career with the short film George Lucas in Love before going on to direct Sleepover, Sydney White, American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile and Prom. He is repped by Artists First.