Disney Replaces Kahiau Machado As David In Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Remake Due To His Past Use Of Racial Slurs On Social Media

David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee) is asked a question by Captain Gantu (Kevin Michael Richardson) in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Studios
David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee) is asked a question by Captain Gantu (Kevin Michael Richardson) in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Studios

In a development that will undoubtedly be taken as a victory by the numerous activists who accused him of being ‘too light-skinned’ to portray the character, Disney has officially replaced Kahiau Machado as the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake’s incarnation of David thanks to his social media history.

David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee) discovers Stitch (Chris Sanders) is an alien in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Studios

David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee) discovers Stitch (Chris Sanders) is an alien in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Studios

RELATED: After Attacking Nani Actress For Not Being Dark Enough, Disney Activists Likewise Decry Actor Kahiau Machado As Too Light-Skinned To Play David In Upcoming ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake

This announcement coming just four days after his casting was initially announced, with Machado’s forced exit, the role of Nani’s wave-savy beau will instead be played actor Kaipo Dudoit, who at current holds only a single Hollywood credit for having briefly guest-starred as the character Keno in the 34th overall episode of the 2018 Magnum P.I. reboot.

Alongside Dudoit’s casting, it was also revealed that not only will the voice of Nani in the animated original, Tia Carrere, be appearing in the film as new character Mrs. Kekoa, but that IP creator, writer, and Stitch’s original voice actor Chris Sanders is in final negotiations to reprise his role as the titular alien.

Keno (Kaipo Dudoit) helps Magnum (Jay Hernandez) load an unconscious suspect into his car in Magnum P.I. (2018) Season 2 Episode 14 "A Game of Cat And Mouse" (2020, CBS

Keno (Kaipo Dudoit) helps Magnum (Jay Hernandez) load an unconscious suspect into his car in Magnum P.I. (2018) Season 2 Episode 14 “A Game of Cat And Mouse” (2020, CBS

According to a source who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Machado – who the outlet notes was “not officially confirmed” for the role by Disney – was canned after it was discovered that he had previously used the racial slur ‘n****a’ on social media.

The two specific instances brought to widespread attention by the more obsessive of the actor’s critics include his use of the name ‘n****a noise’ for a Spotify playlist:

A playlist created Kahiau Machado named 'n****a noise' drew the ire of Disney's activists fans

A Spotify playlist created Kahiau Machado named ‘n****a noise’ drew the ire of Disney’s activists fans

RELATED: Live-Action “The Little Mermaid” Tie-In Book Reveals Ursula Now Defeated By Ariel Instead Of Prince Eric

And his giving named credit for one of a previous Facebook profile pic to his friend by his nickname, “Kapono ‘Sandy N****a’ Lizama”:

Kahiau Machado giving a photo credit to his friend Kapono ‘Sandy N****a’ Lizama via Facebook

As noted above, this casting development comes hot on the heels of Machado – despite possessing Haiwaiian heritage – being accused by Disney’s current identity-politics-obsessed fanbase of not being appropriately ‘ethnic’ enough for the role.

Machado was not the first of the Lilo & Stitch remake’s cast to receive this criticism either, as upon her casting, current Nani actress (barring any unforeseen and disingenuous smear campaigns being likewise raised against her) Sydney Agudong was attacked by the same such activists for the same reason.

David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee) realizes he's covered in black soot in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Studios

David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee) realizes he’s covered in black soot in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Studios

Directed by Marcel the Shell With Shoes On creator Dean Fleischer Camp and set to premiere directly to Disney Plus, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has yet to receive an official release date.

NEXT: Disney Fans Who Supported ‘The Little Mermaid’ Race-Swapping Attack Newly Cast ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake Actress Sydney Agudong For Not Being Dark Enough To Play Nani

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