Taking to Facebook, industry veteran Will Smith (Suicide Squad) has shared the first set photo from Aladdin to announce that filming is now underway on the live-action Disney reboot.
Following in the footsteps of Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, and this year’s box office mega-hit Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin is the latest live-action reimagining to enter development at the Mouse House, which has also drawn up plans for a Jungle Book sequel, Mulan, The Lion King and a Dumbo movie from the inimitable Tim Burton. Yes, it would seem no fairytale is beyond the reach of Disney’s wildly ambitious plans.
With a flick and a swish, the company has recruited a starry lineup of actors to fill out Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin movie, beginning with Will Smith as the gregarious Genie. And though it took a little longer than expected, Disney has selected Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott to play Aladdin and Jasmine, respectively, with Marwan Kenzari (Murder on the Orient Express) assuming the villainous role of Jafar.
Meanwhile, up above, you’ll see Smith flanked by Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott and Marwan Kenzari, while the photo came bearing the caption: “We just started shooting Aladdin and I wanted to intro you guys to our new family… Mena Massoud/Aladdin, Naomi Scott/Princess Jasmine, Marwan Kenzari/Jafar, and I’m over here gettin’ my Genie on. Here we go!”
Story-wise, Ritchie will be directing from a script penned by John August, and with production now officially underway, it won’t be too long before Disney releases some official intel regarding the adventure that awaits.
The cameras, they are a-rolling on the set of Disney’s Aladdin movie, which would surely put it on course for a release in 2019. In related news, The Lion King is another live-action tentpole that has come on in leaps and bounds as well, especially ever since Jon Favreau signed on. Expect that one to prowl into theaters on July 19th, 2019.