It’s no secret that Disney’s live action adaptations are pretty polarizing. Some fans love seeing animated series get that real-life touch, like what Disney did to classics like Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and Sleeping Beauty (via Maleficent). But on the flip side, other fans just want Disney to leave the animated movies alone.

But Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has already got everyone up in arms before it’s even seen the light of day. Here’s why:

Disney taps Sydney Agudong to play the role of Nani Pelekai

Many fans were delighted after Disney revealed that a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is in the works. And as expected, Lilo & Stitch fans were curious to find out which actor portrays who in the comedy sci-fi franchise.

According to a news outlet, actress Sydney Agudong was cast by Disney to play Nani Pelekai, Lilo’s older sister and legal guardian. On paper, Sydney’s casting as Nani was spot on because she was born and raised in Hawaii, where Lilo & Stitch takes place. But not everyone agrees.

The Internet thinks she doesn’t “fit” the role

Although many were happy about this new milestone in Sydney’s career, some felt it was a miscast because she’s a light-skinned Hawaiian with European features. (Sydney is multiracial, with British Irish, Hawaiian, and Filipino roots.) In contrast, the Nani fans knew in the Lilo & Stitch film and animated series is a dark-skinned Hawaiian woman with strong Polynesian features. 

“She is a light skin Native Hawaiian and Nani is supposed to be darker-skinned. The role should have gone to someone with Nani’s skin tone,” one Twitter user wrote. 

Another netizen expressed that people should stop glorifying Eurocentric beauty standards for the sake of erasing characteristics and features integral to ethnicities. “Give darker-skinned Pacific islanders the visibility we deserve.”

They also say that while Sydney is a Hawaiian native, she wouldn’t bring to the table the authenticity that a darker-skinned actor would play. 

However, others argue Sydney’s skin color “shouldn’t matter”

Much like any other conversation, there’s a bunch that doesn’t see any problem with Disney’s casting decision. They said Sydney is of Hawaiian ancestry and doesn’t deserve to get heat for being cast in a role connected to her heritage. Even though there’s controversy concerning the accuracy of her character, what matters more is if she gives justice to the role of Nani or not. 

What about Little Mermaid?

Some netizens also argued that the issue of a light-skinned actress playing Nani is just the same as Halle Bailey playing Ariel in the upcoming The Little Mermaid movie.

However, Lilo & Stitch demands accurate casting because it portrays true-to-life issues that concern race, whereas The Little Mermaid features mythical creatures.

JFYI: Nani’s race/skin color actually does play a role in the story

Is race even important in Lilo and Stitch?

Though it may not be an in-your-face theme of the movie, Lilo & Stitch does address the racism and microaggressions against native (or dark-skinned) Hawaiians. Lilo was bullied and ostracized by a white classmate for being different. And throughout the movie, Nani struggles to get a job (something that native Hawaiians have long contended with), and at one point even expresses resentment toward her “fakey luau” job — the product of colonialism.

The song “Aloha Oe”, which Nani performs in the movie, also has some important historical and racial context:

Deleted footage from the movie shows that Lilo was subject to racism.

David’s casting

And if that didn’t irk people enough, Kahiau Machado as David Kawena, a.k.a Nani’s love interest, has upset the fans.

PSA: Sending hate to the actors isn’t the answer

As we unravel this conversation, it’s important to remember that Sydney Agudong, Kahiau Machado, and all the other actors involved are people too. Sending hate in their direction is never the answer. Let’s keep our conversations about Disney’s choices civil and productive.

What can you say about Sydney Agudong as Nani?