Although some have questioned Disney’s ongoing goal of giving every one of their animated movies the live-action treatment, it’s hard to deny that that audience isn’t there. Several of the live-action Disney movies have made over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, including Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin. The studio quickly got the ball rolling on Aladdin 2, but it’s been a while since we heard any updates on the sequel.
Mena Massoud, who played Aladdin in the live-action movie, offered an update on Aladdin 2 while speaking with Variety, and unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there’s much to say. “I don’t know that there is movement,” Massoud said. “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. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback Productions, who did the Lego movies and Aladdin, 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.” The original Aladdin was followed by several direct-to-video sequels, The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, but it sounds like the live-action sequel will tell a new story… if it ever happens.
Guy Ritchie is expected to return to direct Aladdin 2, but fans have wondered if Will Smith would return as the Genie following the slap controversy. Ritchie recently said that he wouldn’t hesitate to ask the actor back. “I’ve never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I’ve ever had,” Ritchie said. “I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman. I wouldn’t have any issue casting Will Smith in anything because, as I say, he was just the fucking perfect gentleman.“