Disney’s live-action version of their animated movie Aladdin wrapped production on January 24th, per a Tweet from the star himself:

Inexplicably directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch), this version will be based in part on the Middle Eastern folk tale One Thousand and One Nights as well Disney’s 1992 animated version.

I’ll admit this is the first time I’ve paid any attention to this production (read into that what you will) and my first thought was, “Are Gilbert Gottfried and Frank Welker returning?”

CGI Characters?

No word yet on either a CGI Iago or Abu. In fact, Iago the parrot seems to have been replaced by the new character of Hakim, captain of the palace guard and Jafar’s right-hand man. Further, Rajah the tiger has also seemingly been replaced by the new character of Dalia, a hand-maiden to Princess Jasmine. Perhaps Abu will be played by Josh Gad in a mo-cap suit.

Music!

Alan Menken is returning, as are the excellent original songs from Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Word ’round the campfire is that there are also two new songs from Menken and the songwriters from La La Land.

These Are Your New Leads

Naomi Scott
Naomi Scott is Princess Jasmine
Mena Massoud
Mena Massoud is Aladdin
Will Smith
Will Smith is The Genie of the Lamp

Aladdin will be released theatrically on May 24, 2019 in the United States and likely on disc on May 1, 2019 at your local black market retailer.

Adios, amigos y amiguitas!

HTR

God bless the memory of Robin Williams

Vice-President of Stoicism at Film Goblin. Your resident American-Mexican! My parents blessed me with looks, charm, and a love of movies. Looking back on it all, I wish they'd blessed me with money instead. But hey, here we are, right? May Crom be praised, I LOVE MOVIES. I sincerely hope that you enjoy my work and that you genuinely laugh out loud sometimes. Yours, HTR