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‘Aladdin’ Live Action Film Finds Its Lead Actors

Following the controversy of Aladdin‘s live-action film having difficulty finding actors of Middle-Eastern or Indian descent to play the titular roles of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, the studio has surprisingly announced their choices for its leads today!

“Aladdin will be played by a young actor named Mena Massoud,” said Walt Disney Studios production president Sean Bailey at D23 Expo. “Jasmine will be played by Naomi Scott.”

'Aladdin' Live Action Film Finds Its Lead Actors
Credit: Variety

Massoud is new on the scene, currently co-starring on Amazon’s Jack Ryan series, while Scott most recently starred as Kimberly/Pink Ranger in the Power Rangers reboot. She has also appeared in The 33 and the FOX series Terra Nova. Will Smith has also been confirmed to play Genie, with Bailey stating, “The amazing Genie will be played by the equally amazing Will Smith.”

Directed by Guy Ritchie, the live action film will draw its influence from the Middle East, India, China, as well as the 1992 animated movie. However, the screenplay will be based on the Arabic folktales of One Thousand And One Nights.

What do you think of the film’s casting?

Source: Entertainment Weekly