Taking a page from one of its songs, the Disney animated hit Aladdin is about to enter a whole new world: that of the live-action version.
It is clear that with the success of some of their recent live-action adaptations of their beloved hit animated films, Disney is fast-tracking some of their animated hit films into live-action. Just last week, they have announced that they will be releasing Mulan in November of 2018.
Originally, there were rumors of a live-action prequel that would have been called Genies, which would have revolved around the Genie’s origin. The Genie in the animated film was voiced by the late comedic great Robin Williams with Dan Castellanetta voicing the character in the sequel The Return of Jafar only for Williams to come back in Aladdin and the Prince of Thieves.
The major news with the live action film is that Disney has brought in Guy Ritchie to direct the film. Ritchie will be working from a John August script. Casting has not been announced nor as to how they will perceive using the Genie. Ritchie is known for his work on Sherlock Holmes and its sequel with Robert Downey Jr. as well as Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. His next film, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, comes out on March 24, 2017.
Other well-known directors helming live action Disney films include Sam Mendes, who will tackle James and the Giant Peach and Jon Favreau, who had directed The Jungle Book and will be doing not only a sequel but will also tackle The Lion King.
Next up will be Bill Condon‘s take on Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. That film will be coming to theaters on March 17, 2017. Meanwhile, more on Aladdin as developments continue.
H/T: /Film
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