Disney and director Guy Ritchie have apparently had a few issues finding the right actor for the lead role in their planned live-action take on Aladdin. It’s taken them months, but they’ve now reached a decision.
At the House Of Mouse’s D23 expo, they’ve revealed that relative newcomer Mena Massoud will take the title role, with Power Rangers’ Naomi Scott as Jasmine. They join the now confirmed Will Smith as the genie.
Apparently over 2,000 actors auditioned for the role of Aladdin, with Disney looking at the likes of Dev Patel and Riz Ahmed, before deciding that Massoud was their man. The young star has previously been seen in the likes of TV’s Saving Hope, and he’s also got a role in the upcoming Jack Ryan television series.
Disney is hoping to start shooting Aladdin next month in the UK, but there’s still got plenty of work to do before then. That’s not least that they need to find someone to play the villain, Jafar, as well as various other roles. (H/T THR)
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