“And also I do stand by the decision ‘cause I feel like a lot of the things that in trying to ground these characters more and tell a story with a little more emotional depth, especially between the sisters, I feel like you have to free up real estate to allow that breathing room to do those things.

Lilo and Stitch are riding a Hawaiian roller-coaster back into theaters this weekend, but unlike that mischievous blue alien, the live-action remake looks poised to clean up. Tracking for the film's four-day opening over the Memorial Day weekend puts its predicted haul at a record $165 million,

The original animated "Lilo & Stitch" made just $273 million when it premiered in theaters in 2002. But Stitch's popularity has lived on for years, propelling merchandise sales and a new live-action movie.