Home Entertainment Disney’s struggling to find its stars for the live-action adaptation of Aladdin

Disney’s struggling to find its stars for the live-action adaptation of Aladdin

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Big budget live-action sequel of one of the most beloved animated films of all time? Check. Top quality director with a penchant for strong visuals? Check. Top quality composer to ensure the musical moments hit all the right notes? Check. Talented stars to lead your film? Not Check.

You would think that with the success Disney has had adapting their animated classics into big live action films that people would be clamouring at the chance to star in any of their big budget features. Yet, according to a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, it would appear that director Guy Ritchie and his casting agent, Randi Hiller, are struggling to find the needed talent for the film. Production was due to start this month on the film, but they have had to push out work on the film until they can find their desired leads despite apparently having had over 2000 actors and actresses reading for the parts of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine.

The pair are intent on ensuring the casting for the film is kept authentic and so are looking for Middle-Eastern or Indian actors who can fulfil these roles, which will also require the actors to have strong singing and dancing skills to make it work. After apparently considering established actors Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion) or Riz Ahmed (Rogue One, Four Lions) for the lead role of Aladdin, Ritchie is reportedly now intent on trying to find a diamond in the rough and hoping to unearth a new star through the film, much the same way The Jungle Book showcased the young talent of Neel Sethi.

Technically, the film already has its big star in Will Smith, who has reportedly signed on to play the Genie for the film. Considering the magical blue character – voiced by the comedic genius of the late Robin Williams – was one of the main drawcards in the original animated film, they at least have a certified superstar as a big attraction. This should allow them to look at a lesser known star for the role – as they are unlikely to top the name of Will Smith in any way with whoever else they can cast in the lead roles.

However, if they are going to unearth this young and fresh talent, they might want to consider improving the way they do it, with an unnamed casting agent declaring the whole test process for the film was “a mess”. The production apparently does have Power Rangers actress Naomi Scott and Indian actress Tara Sutaria on the shortlist to play Jasmine, but since Ritchie and co first need to have a few Aladdin hopefuls to test their chemistry with the ladies, they can’t make a decision on that.

It’s hard to believe the talent isn’t out there and there is no doubt a huge amount of interest from potential future stars wanting to get involved in this movie. I would suspect there is some truth to what this casting agent is saying and hopefully Ritchie and Hiller will be able to improve their processes so that the film can land its next big stars soon. After all, Will Smith is great, but he can’t do it all on its own and needs to be surrounded by decent talent as well.  If Suicide Squad taught us anything, it’s that… actually, it taught us that he can hold a movie just fine all on its own even with the rest of the cast being terrible. Scrap the rest of the stars and just focus on him instead. (Just kidding)

Last Updated: July 13, 2017

11 Comments

  1. RinceThis

    July 13, 2017 at 13:33

    Is Guy Ritchie going to kill this movie like King Arthur too?

    Reply

  2. Original Heretic

    July 13, 2017 at 13:44

    I played Aladdin in a stage show once. Then I took an arrow to the knee.

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      July 13, 2017 at 13:47

      And now you’re just useless? Gotcha! *RUNS

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        July 13, 2017 at 13:49

        Not even close! I just won’t do magic carpet rides anymore.
        Besides, it was a panto, so the character was extremely poorly written. Horrible to play. Flatter than Keira Knightly.

        Reply

    • miaau

      July 13, 2017 at 14:42

      I watched Aladdin in a stage show once. I saw a distinct lack of arrows.

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        July 13, 2017 at 14:48

        Maybe I just remember that i felt like an arrow to the knee. Or the back. Or the gut.
        It was painful.

        Reply

      • Dresden

        July 13, 2017 at 14:55

        That tells me someone in the audience hated his performance so much that they shot him with an actual bow and arrow.

        Reply

  3. Magoo

    July 13, 2017 at 13:47

    I thought that Dev Patel was Hollywood’s go-to-guy for these kinds of roles..

    Reply

  4. miaau

    July 13, 2017 at 14:37

    And for the the Genie, I just both heard and made up this rumour right now, they will be using stitched together and enhanced footage of Robin Williams, as a final tribute to one of his truly standout movie performances. Ok, I really, really hope not.

    But I realised, again, on seeing the image above, that the world is no longer graced by the genius, sadness and joy of Robin Williams.

    Hmm, that said, How good was Robin Williams as the genie?

    Reply

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