Guy Ritchie discusses live-action ‘Aladdin’ with Will Smith as Genie, little to no music
The live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin is still years away from arriving in theaters, but director Guy Ritchie spoke about the film, the casting of Will Smith as Genie and the rumored lack of music in the film.
Speaking with E! News, the Ritchie revealed that he likes Smith, but was one step shy of confirming the casting.
“It would make me very happy to be making it with him, but the whole thing is very exciting,” he said.
Ritchie also hinted he’s not opposed to having Aladdin as a musical, which would be a first for the popular director. The Hollywood Reporter cited Disney wanted a “nontraditional” and “ambitious” take for the remake, hence picking Ritchie made sense.
Before production actually starts, the director said they still have to find their lead star. There was, in fact, an open call in London at the Old College Building (also known as the Cochrane Theatre) in Holborn, London.
Casting directors will be looking for a handsome young man to play the part of Aladdin. He must be around 18 to 22 years-old with Middle Eastern features. He must also have an agile body and he should be physically fit, as per Empire Online.
The actor should also know how to sing and dance.
Filming for Aladdin is expected to start in August and will run until the January next year.
Disney’s Aladdin first ran in theaters in 1992 and it was based on the tale of “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.” Aside from Robin Williams, who lent his voice for Genie, which also earned him awards and recognitions, the animated movie also featured the voices of Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Gilbert Gottfried, Douglas Seale, Frank Welker and Jonathan Freeman.
