Mike Van Waes

Mike Van Waes is that screenwriter who’s been popping up in all the right places lately. Yeah, you might’ve spotted his name attached to the upcoming Lilo & Stitch (2025) live-action adaptation—Disney’s latest attempt to yank at your childhood nostalgia while giving the next generation something shiny. People are already debating online whether it’ll capture the weird, chaotic energy of the original or just end up as another “eh, it was fine” remake. But honestly, Mike’s background makes him a pretty interesting pick. He’s not just about heartwarming alien weirdos and Hawaiian vibes—he’s also dipped his toes in the world of supernatural horror. Take Dear David (2023), for example. That flick was based on the infamous Twitter thread that basically set the internet on fire for a hot minute. Mike Van Waes took that bizarre, meme-fueled ghost story and spun it into a full-blown movie. The results? Well, people definitely had opinions—some loved the creepy, internet-age paranoia vibe; others thought it was all hype and no bite. Either way, you can’t say the dude plays it safe. Oh, and don’t sleep on Hammerspace. That project’s still mostly under wraps, but the name alone has folks speculating about sci-fi, alternate dimensions, or maybe something totally out there. One thing’s clear, though: Mike Van Waes isn’t here to just coast on easy projects. Whether he’s tackling beloved animated classics or leaning into the weird and supernatural, he’s making moves that get people talking. If you’re keeping tabs on modern screenwriters with range, he’s one to watch.