Initially, it may not appear that Disney’s 2002 film, “ ” shares many similarities with DreamWorks’ 2010 production. Both films were created by rival animation studios and employ different techniques: one is traditional hand-drawn animation, while the other uses computer-generated imagery (CGI). The main characters in these movies, Lilo and Hiccup, are quite distinct from each other. Additionally, a plot point in which an alien lands in present-day Hawaii differs significantly from a setting where ancient Vikings battle dragons.
Even though Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon premiered as live-action adaptations in 2025, they share a significant similarity: Chris Sanders, who is both their director and animator, not only gave voice to Stitch but also designed the character. Following his work with Disney in the early 2000s, he moved to DreamWorks where he infused his unique style onto Toothless, the endearing dragon that would star in a series of animated films, including a trilogy.
June 27, 2025 – An Update by Me: For years, the creative exchanges between Disney and DreamWorks have sparked intriguing debates. It all began when Jeffrey Katzenberg, a former Disney executive, established DreamWorks. Notably, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, the masterminds behind Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, contributed to both studios. This update aims to shed light on even more intriguing parallels between these two animation powerhouses.
Chris Sanders Worked with the Biggest Names in Animation
Sanders Storyboarded During the Disney Renaissance
In the 1980s, Sanders studied at the renowned CalArts university and kicked off his career by working on the animated TV series “Muppet Babies” and Marvel Comics. During this time, he made a name for himself in the animation world as he was recruited by The Walt Disney Company, which was then considered the dream destination for many animators. In the early stages of his Disney career, Sanders contributed to several movies such as “The Rescuers Down Under” (1990), “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “Aladdin” (1992), and “The Lion King” (1994) in a story artist role. When the production for “Mulan” began, Sanders was promoted to Head of Story for the film. Following his success with “Mulan,” the Head of Feature Animation, Tom Schumacher, asked him if he had any project ideas he wanted to pursue.
The origin of Lilo & Stitch initially stemmed from a completely distinct format. On his personal site, Sanders presented this unique idea.
Eighteen years ago, I jotted down a heartfelt children’s book story that somehow slipped from my grasp due to its complexity in a concise format. Over a delightful sushi meal at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, I shared this intriguing tale about an outcast forest creature, yearning for acceptance and unaware of his roots. Tom, enthralled by the idea, proposed moving the narrative from the enchanted woods to the human realm. And thus, Lilo & Stitch was conceived in my mind.
The original concept blossomed into the hit sci-fi comedy-drama featuring the beloved blue extraterrestrial, Stitch. In the film, Sanders lent his voice to the character, a role he continued in various Disney projects post-release. This movie proved to be one of Disney’s most profitable ventures during the early 2000s and led to numerous sequels and a television series. In Japan, an anime adaptation of the film premiered in October 2008 and ran until March 2011.
Sanders Entered the DreamWorks Era
In 2006, Chris Sanders departed from Disney and moved on to DreamWorks Animation. At DreamWorks, he collaborated and initiated another successful franchise, which was largely influenced by the book series of Cressida Cowell. Sanders and Dean DeBlois directed this production. The narrative revolves around a young Viking who has difficulty fitting in with his dragon-hunting tribe. He develops a friendship with a dragon he names Toothless, who shares a similar aesthetic and demeanor to Stitch, despite being non-verbal.
In similar fashion, the movie “How to Train Your Dragon” brought DreamWorks the same level of success that “Lilo & Stitch” did for Disney. It was recognized with nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score at the 83rd Academy Awards, but ultimately lost to “Toy Story 3” in the first category and “The Social Network” in the second. Despite a budget of $165 million, it generated a total worldwide gross of $494.9 million. A sequel was released in 2014, followed by another in 2019, along with a series of shorts. After the success of “How to Train Your Dragon”, Sanders went on to write and direct “The Croods” (2013), which also led to a sequel in 2020 titled “The Croods: A New Age”.
Sanders’ First Directorial Box Office Bomb Was with Disney
The Call of the Wild Was Wildly Criticized
As a film enthusiast, I had the pleasure of witnessing director Sanders’ live-action debut with the 2020 release of “The Call of the Wild” under Disney’s freshly acquired 20th Century Studios banner. Interestingly, this project marked Sanders’ return to Disney, as its origins dated back to 2017. The movie was an adaptation of Jack London’s 1903 novel, a timeless tale centered around Buck, a sled dog who rose through the ranks to become the alpha in his pack during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. In this film, Harrison Ford brought the character John Thornton, a rugged frontiersman and Buck’s fourth master, to life. Unfortunately, “The Call of the Wild” failed to recoup its budget at the box office, an unusual setback for Sanders’ impressive portfolio.
Harrison Ford and “dog.” Despite the negative feedback on the movie’s special effects, Ford’s performance was still highly appreciated by critics.
Sanders Made a Monumental Comeback with The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot Was One of the Best Movies of 2024
Lately, Sanders has gone back to DreamWorks to collaborate on a film titled “ The Wild Robot “. This movie, adapted from a book series, hit theaters across the country on September 27, 2024, and is doing well at the box office. It debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, with Sanders handling both the screenplay and direction duties. After the less-than-stellar reception of “The Call of the Wild“, it appears that “ The Wild Robot ” is rapidly gaining popularity as one of the top films of the year.
In “The Wild Robot,” our title character – a robot – navigates complex relationships with forest creatures while traversing an environment ill-suited for technology. The film’s enchanting visuals inspired by Studio Ghibli elevate the already captivating narrative, making it accessible to children and adults alike. This heartwarming tale is just shy of “How to Train Your Dragon” in DreamWorks’ animated movie rankings on Rotten Tomatoes. Regardless of occasional obstacles, Sanders consistently delivers remarkable work.
Sanders Reprised His Role as Stitch in Live-Action
Sanders Wants to Voice Stitch Forever
In the ongoing trend of live-action adaptations thriving at Disney, DreamWorks is joining the fray as well. The films Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon both received live-action makeovers just two months apart. Regrettably, Chris Sanders wasn’t part of the 2025 live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, a project instead led by Dean DeBlois in terms of direction and scriptwriting. Despite Sanders’ absence, the live-action version of Toothless was visually captivating, especially during its aerial scenes with Hiccup. Given that the fundamental ideas were already established by one of the original writers, How to Train Your Dragon managed to shine even without Sanders’ involvement.
In the live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch,” actor Sander expressed his desire to continue voicing the character for as long as possible. Critics highly appreciated Sander’s reprisal, with Stitch’s distinctive laugh being one of the standout aspects of the film. Although “Lilo & Stitch” didn’t captivate audiences quite like the original version, it’s evident that Sander’s performance helped preserve much of the animated movie’s emotional depth. If the live-action film leads to a TV series spinoff, fans can anticipate Sander reprising his iconic role as Stitch. It seems Stitch will continue to be present for quite some time, and Sander will make sure of it.
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2025-07-04 20:37