Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Quietly Gave This Character A Major Upgrade — What Made Them Stand Out?

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake might be stirring controversy for its character changes, but one alien sidekick is unexpectedly stealing the spotlight: Agent Wendy Pleakley. The 2025 version quietly flips the script on this fan-favorite, giving him more power, laughs, and shockingly, a better arc than he ever had in the original.

Agent Wendy Pleakley Is A Key Player In The Galactic Federation

From the start, Pleakley isn’t just the lovable goof tagging along with Jumba anymore. He’s now a major player in the Galactic Federation, even taking credit for the decision to declare Earth a protected wildlife preserve. That’s a huge shift. In the 2002 animated film, that pivotal moment was Cobra Bubbles’ moment. Giving it to Pleakley instantly raises his status from quirky Earth-obsessed alien to someone who can actually change intergalactic policy. That’s no minor upgrade.

But the changes don’t stop with diplomacy. In this version, Pleakley becomes the only alien villain to flip sides by the movie’s end. With Jumba stuck in full-on villain mode, the classic redemption arc goes entirely to Pleakley. He’s the one who helps Lilo and Stitch take down Gantu. He’s the one who earns his spot in their ohana—alone. That solo switch-up gives him a narrative weight he never carried before.