Aladdin 2 receives a hopeful update from lead star Mena Massoud, as he gives insight into the live-action Disney remake sequel’s production. Massoud starred as the titular hero alongside Will Smith’s Genie and Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 musical fantasy. Aladdin revisited the tale of the original 1992 animated feature, telling the story of how the orphaned Aladdin discovered a magic lamp containing Smith’s powerful Genie, and uses the three wishes bestowed upon him to become a prince in order to win the affection of Princess Jasmine, all the while being targeted by Marwan Kenzari’s treacherous sorcerer Jafar.
During an interview with Variety when discussing his upcoming romantic comedy, Hotel for the Holidays, Massoud offered insight into the current status of Aladdin 2 following its announcement in 2020. While he was unsure of whether any major steps had been taken before production could begin, the star did state that two new writers had been brought on board to develop a new draft, before emphasizing his hopes that the sequel will go ahead. Check out Massoud’s full response below:
I don’t know that there is movement. There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a brand new draft. That’s all I know. If Aladdin 2 happens, that’s fantastic. I think it should happen.
Massoud’s Aladdin 2 Update Is Concerning
While Massoud’s update on Aladdin 2 indicates that the film is still in development, there is also an air of concern about whether the sequel could be canceled. Currently, the Walt Disney Company is continuing to develop remakes of previous animated hits, including 2023’s live-action The Little Mermaid and the in-development Russo Brothers-produced Hercules remake, with Snow White and Lilo and Stitch set to follow, showing the company’s commitment to releasing live-action remakes. However, Aladdin 2 may face some complications due to Hercules. Ritchie had previously been expected to return to direct but, he joined the production of the Russo Brother’s remake of the 1997 animated film in June, and indicated he hopes to start production within 2023. With Ritchie’s schedule potentially being packed and new writers being brought into the project, Aladdin 2‘s production at best may see a significant delay, if it ultimately does enter production.
Can Aladdin 2 Match The Original’s Success?
Despite potential delays, however, Aladdin 2‘s new original story aim may be a promising sign for the film should it go ahead. While Aladdin was the ninth highest-grossing film of 2019, it attracted mixed reviews from critics, with many finding issues with how similar it felt to the original 1992 animated feature and criticizing how it lacked any notable aspects that truly allowed it to stand apart from its inspiration. While the animated feature received two direct-to-video sequels with The Return of Jafar and Alladin and the King of Thieves, producer Dan Lin has confirmed the live-action sequel will not adapt either film, instead developing an original story for its take on the cast. As such, Aladdin 2 could address the 2019 film’s critiques by taking the characters in a whole new direction, distancing itself away from the original film, and providing audiences with a fresh new story.
Despite production changes and potential setbacks, it is clear that Aladdin 2 is still in development, with both Massoud’s response and Ritchie’s previous comments on recasting. While Disney’s previously released live-action remakes have been met with varied responses, productions that take a more original approach have also been successful at the box office, indicating there is continued interest in new approaches to Disney’s classic tales. Though Massoud’s response suggests the sequel may be suffering a prolonged, somewhat troubled development, it is clear that there is still interest in carrying on the tale of Aladdin beyond his adventures with the lamp at the company.
Source: Variety