Aladdin star Mena Massoud has revealed that the upcoming sequel to the 2019 live-action film will not be based on Disney's direct-to-video animated Aladdin sequels.
Speaking with Variety, the actor, who portrayed the title character in the 2019 film, explained that the film's producers, Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback Productions, "want to make sure they get this right. So if we do see Aladdin 2, it’s not going to be based off the animated version at all. This is going to be a brand new original story."
Released in 1992 as part of the Disney Renaissance, Aladdin was a massive box office hit for the studio, birthing a franchise that includes two direct-to-video animated sequels -- The Return of Jafar (1994) and Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996) -- and an animated television series. However, unlike the critically-adored Aladdin, the direct-to-video sequels earned mostly negative reviews, which could be a reason why the live-action sequel will chart a new path for these beloved Disney characters.
Aladdin Director Wants Will Smith to Return as Genie
When the Aladdin sequel was first announced in February 2020, Massoud, Naomi Scott and Will Smith were all listed as actors who were expected to reprise their roles from the first film in the sequel. However, Smith has since become a somewhat controversial figure in Hollywood after the actor slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022, leading many fans to wonder if Smith would be brought back as the Genie for Aladdin 2.
Guy Ritchie, who directed the 2019 film and is expected to helm the follow-up, was recently asked about his experience working with the actor, revealing that he would absolutely welcome Smith back for Aladdin 2. "I’ve never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I’ve ever had," he said. "I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman." The director added, "I wouldn’t have any issue casting Will Smith in anything, because, as I say, he was just the fucking perfect gentleman."
Aladdin 2 is currently in development at Disney alongside several other live-action reimaginings, including sequels to Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book (2016) and Craig Gillespie's Cruella (2021). The studio is also working on a prequel to Favreau's The Lion King (2019), with Barry Jenkins attached as director. Titled Mufasa: The Lion King, the upcoming 2024 prequel will follow the titular character's origin story, with Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. set to voice Mufasa and Scar, respectively.
Both the animated and live-action Aladdin films are available to stream on Disney+.
Source: Variety